Absenteeism among group-D employers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Hospital Administration
• Human Resources Management

Background:

• Employee absenteeism presents a significant challenge in healthcare settings, impacting operational efficiency and patient care.
• Understanding the factors contributing to absenteeism is crucial for developing effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and patterns of absenteeism among Group D employees in a Jammu hospital.
• To identify demographic, social, and job-related factors associated with employee absence.
• To calculate absence, frequency, and severity rates to quantify the problem.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzing hospital records of man-days lost and scheduled work from September 1992 to August 1995.
• Data collection through questionnaires assessing employee personality, social factors (accommodation, ceremonies), habits (drinking, gambling), and job satisfaction.
• Categorization of absence into casual leave, sick leave, and earned leave for analysis.

Main Results:

• Absenteeism was notably higher among females, individuals aged 33-45 years, married employees, and Hindu backward classes.
• Peak absence occurred from September to November, particularly on Mondays and Saturdays.
• Despite identified absence patterns, employees reported job satisfaction and positive relationships with supervisors.

Conclusions:

• Demographic and temporal factors significantly influence absenteeism rates in hospital Group D employees.
• While job satisfaction was reported, specific periods and employee groups exhibit higher absence, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Further research into the underlying causes of absence, even among satisfied employees, is recommended.