Definition The percentage of planned working time lost to unplanned absence.
Example 90 days of absence out of 4,000 planned working days gives an absenteeism rate of 2.25%.
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Choose your role to see what this term means in your work.
Why it matters High absence can signal wellbeing issues and affects team capacity.
Where it is used HR reports and wellbeing reviews.
How to calculate it Days absent ÷ total planned working days × 100
Worked example 90 days of absence out of 4,000 planned working days gives an absenteeism rate of 2.25%.
Definitions vary. Some count only sickness, while others include all unplanned absence. Check how your organisation calculates it.
