absenteeism

[ab-suh n-tee-iz-uh m]

See more synonyms for absenteeism on Thesaurus.com

noun

frequent or habitual absence from work, school, etc.: rising absenteeism in the industry.
the practice of being an absentee landlord.

Origin of absenteeism

First recorded in 1820–30; absentee + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for absenteeism

truancy, absence, defection, desertion, skipping

Examples from the Web for absenteeism

Contemporary Examples of absenteeism

Plus, studies have shown that, by meeting nursing women's needs, employers can lower rates of absenteeism and turnover.
How Breast Pumps Became a Political Issue
Danielle Friedman
February 19, 2011

Historical Examples of absenteeism

Absenteeism is agreed on all hands to be the bane of Ireland.
Nuts and Nutcrackers
Charles James Lever
It would astonish you to know the extent of the evil of "absenteeism."
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six
Abraham Lincoln
The absenteeism of her Emperors was producing its inevitable result.
The Story of Nuremberg
Cecil Headlam
He demanded the suppression of absenteeism; he demanded free trade.
The English in the West Indies
James Anthony Froude
Two articles especially prevented, as far as possible, absenteeism.
At Last
Charles Kingsley

British Dictionary definitions for absenteeism

absenteeism

noun

persistent absence from work, school, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for absenteeism

1829, from absentee + -ism; originally in reference to landlords, especially in Ireland (absentee in this sense is in Johnson's dictionary); reference to pupils or workers is from 1922.

absenteeism in Culture

absenteeism

Habitual absence from work, thought to reflect employee demoralization or dissatisfaction.