Absenteeism shows up in many forms, and each one sends a different signal about an employee’s experience. Recognizing the type of absenteeism is the first step toward solving it — or preventing it in the first place.
This refers to frequent unscheduled absences that are communicated but not well-managed:
Important Note: While the reasons may be valid, frequent disruptions often point to burnout, personal hardship, or disengagement.
One of the most serious types of absenteeism. An employee simply doesn’t show up — and doesn’t notify anyone.
This isn’t about being sick — it’s about being checked out. Common signs include:
💡 These patterns often follow unresolved conflict or low morale.
When employees show up and perform some work, but aren’t truly present. They may be:
This leads to lower productivity and a quieter kind of team disruption.
Occurs when employees are on the clock but not actually working. Examples include:
Important Note: This erodes trust, fairness, and team performance, especially in hybrid/remote settings.
Each type of absenteeism reveals something deeper: stress, burnout, lack of accountability, or systemic issues in your organization. As a leader, your role is to observe the patterns and intervene with empathy and clarity. Next, we’ll explore how leaders can take meaningful action.
Reach out today to learn how we can help your team grow!