[Reasons attributed by professionals of an Intensive Care Unit for the absence at work]

This is an exploratory, descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, which aimed to identify the reasons attributed by nursing professionals for the absences at work; and to describe the alternatives proposed for the reduction of the absences in a teaching hospital. It was carried out in a Federal Public Hospital with 29 professionals from the Intensive Care Unit, the unit with the greater number of absences at work in 2008. Data were collected through focus groups and submitted to thematic content analysis. It was evidenced, as reasons for the occurrence of absenteeism, the influence of the physical environment, management and interpersonal skills. It was highlighted, as alternatives for the reduction of absences at work, the participatory management, team work, service organization and therapeutic support. It was concluded that the absenteeism involves subjective issues with multiple dimensions, which cannot be clarified only through quantitative perspective.