Absenteeism of Employees in Forward Shoes (India) Pvt. Ltd., Cochin, Kerala: A Case Study

Absenteeism is a significant challenge impacting the productivity and operational efficiency of labourintensiveindustries worldwide. It reflects employees' disengagement and dissatisfaction, resulting indecreased performance and increased costs for organizations. This study investigates the phenomenon ofabsenteeism by analysing existing literature on its causes and effects, focusing specifically on themanufacturing sector. Various factors contribute to absenteeism, including poor working conditions, longhours, inadequate job satisfaction, health-related issues, and insufficient employee welfare programs.Absenteeism is influenced by individual, organizational, and environmental factors. Key contributors suchas stress, low job satisfaction, and poor work-life balance lead to increased absenteeism, which directlyaffects company productivity and morale. Long working hours, lack of incentives and inadequate welfaremeasures significantly contribute to high absenteeism rates in all types industries. Unfavourable workplaceconditions and limited rewards often result in disengaged employees, further exacerbating absenteeism.Poor working environments and excessive workloads are critical factors in raising absenteeism rates.Studies revealed that implementing wellness programs and enhancing employee engagement caneffectively reduce absenteeism levels. The integration of health and wellness initiatives, along withfostering a positive and supportive work culture, has shown substantial improvements in employeeattendance. This concludes that addressing absenteeism necessitates a comprehensive approach, includingenhancements in workplace conditions, better work-life balance, and a strong focus on employee health andengagement. Such strategies can lead to a more motivated workforce, improved productivity, and reducedoperational disruptions. So there is a pressing need for managers to focus more effectively on addressingabsenteeism issues and to develop more comprehensive leave policies.