Categories of Absenteeism at Work

Abstract or Introduction

The term of absenteeism is generally used to describe unscheduled employee
absences from the workplace. But there are two different categories. Either
- valid absenteeism: refers to employees who are absent for reasons beyond
their control; like sickness and injury. In a labour relations context this means
that it can not be remedied or treated by disciplinary measures.
- invalid absenteeism:refers to employees who are absent without authorization
for reasons which are within their control. For instance, an employee who is on
sick leave even though he/she is not sick, and it can be proven that the
employee was not sick, is guilty of culpable absenteeism. In a labour relations
context this means that progressive discipline can be applied.
or more elaborated
- white absenteeism: In the case of white absenteeism, the employee is
obviously ill. For example if he or she has high fever or a broken leg.
- grey absenteeism: Illnesses which are psychological or psychosomatic, such
as headache, stomachache or tiredness can lead to grey absenteeism
because in these cases, diagnoses are hard to make.
- black absenteeism: it is spoken about black absenteeism if someone who is
not ill has reported himself/herself as sick. This black variant of absenteeism is
often also called illegal absenteeism. In the cases of black and grey
absenteeism exists a degree of freedom to absenteeism.