3 C’S OF ABSENTEEISM Aim : To discuss about the Causes, Consequences and Cure of Absenteeism

Learning objectives Teachers will be able to

• Define absenteeism

• Describe types of absenteeism

• Tell us some causes of absenteeism

• List some consequences of absenteeism

• Suggest solutions to absenteeism

Absenteeism • Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from

a duty or obligation. (Johns, 2007)

• Absenteeism is the habitual failure to appear, especially for work or other regular duty. (Moore, 1994)

• The act of staying away from school without permission (McCray, 2006).

4 Types of Absenteeism Types of

absenteeism1) Authorized Absenteeism

2) Unauthorized Absenteeism

3) Willful Absenteeism

4) Absenteeism caused by circumstances beyond one’s control

Causes of absenteeism • Inability to realise the effects  (Bossidy and Charan , 2002) • Personality influence absence (Steers and Porter ,1973) • Demographics have an influence on

absenteeism (Lee ,1989) • Learner stress (Mills, R.C,1995) • Excess homework, bullied students• Poor food in canteen, Poor infrastructure• Fear to attend (Chitiyo and Wheeler, 2006).• Lack of allied activities (sport, parties….)• Poor teaching skills (Students

complaining of shouting teacher)• Lack of subject interest (Mad hated

Math's)• Lack of personal interest in studies (story

of Ron)• Personal illness

Consequences of Absenteeism

• Significant costs to learners (Harrison & Martocchio, 1998)

• Financial cost to schools (Steers and Rhodes,1984).

• Cost to government (Henry Lloyds Robert ,2004) • Students poor results (Morgan, Lillie G; Herman, Jeanne, 1976)

• A Source of Teacher’s Stress• Learners form bad habits for life• Creates problems for the

school(Camp .S.D, Lambert.E.G, 2006)

• Parents under pressure to find a new school if the student is excluded

Cure of absenteeism

• Teacher Positive motivation (Mayfield, Mayfield 2009)

• Incentive (Frederick Winslow Taylor,1911)

• Disciplinary action (Sommer and Nagel, 1991)

• Monitoring and counseling (Garry, 1996)

• Positive expectation environment (Robert Rosenthal ,1995)

• Clarify rules (Kelvin Cheatle, 2001)

• Positive discipline eg kind and firm (Corville-Smith, Ryan, Adams, Dalicandro, 1998)

• Interesting activities eg: Lego

Conclusion• Causes are inconsistent, multiple and variable• Cure should be tailor made , absentees are individual,

treat them case by case• Consequences are real or perceived • Consequences are negative but can consequences of

absenteeism be also be positive?

References• Bossidy, L. & Charan, R. (2002), Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, Crown Business, New York.• Camp .S.D, Lambert .E.G (2006) The Influence of Organizational Incentives on Absenteeism Sick-Leave Use

Among Correctional Workers. Criminal Justice Policy Review, June 2006; vol. 17• Chitiyo, M. Wheeler, J. (2006). School Phobia and Understanding a Complex Behavioural • Corville-Smith, J. Ryan, B. Adams, G. Dalicandro, T. (1998). Distinguishing Absentee Students from Regular

Attenders. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 27, 629-640. • Garry, E. (1996). Truancy: First Step to a Lifetime of Problems. Office of Juvenile • Justice and Delinquency Prevention. London• Harrison, David A. And J.J.Marticchio (1998) ”Time for absenteeism : a 20 Years review of the origins,

Offshoots, and Outcomes”. Journal of Management • Henry Lloyds Robert (2004),www.milkround.com, retrieved 28April 2012• Johns, (2007) health information management technology. American health information management

association• Lee , Thomas W.(1989).”The Antecedents and Prediction of Employee Attendance.” Journal of business Issues

17.• McCray, E. D. (2006). It’s 10 A.M.: Do you know where your children are? Intervention in School and Clinic,

42(1), 30-33.• Monapert, A (1970) The supremacy philosophy of man. Prentice-Hall • Moore, M (2001), Absenteeism in the workplace, Auburn University• Morgan, Lillie G.; Herman, Jeanne B(1976) Perceived consequences of absenteeism. Journal of Applied

Psychology, Vol 61(6). • Robert Rosenthal(1992), self fulfilling prophecy, Harvard university press• Steer and Rhodes (1984), Steer Rhodes model, Syracuse University• Sommer, B. Sommer and Nagel, S. (1991). Ecological and Typological Characteristics in Early Adolescent Truancy. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11, 379-392.