Employee Absenteeism as a Predictor of Job Performance: An Empirical Study

Employee absenteeism is an important human resource management concern because it can interrupt work processes, place additional demands on other employees, and affect performance outcomes. This study examines the association between employee absenteeism and performance outcomes and investigates the relationship between work-related stress and absenteeism. Primary data were collected from 101 employees through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. The instrument included items relating to absenteeism, work-related stress, and performance outcomes. The reported Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.785, indicating acceptable internal consistency for the combined scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, the chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation analysis in SPSS. The findings revealed a statistically significant association between absenteeism and performance outcomes (χ² = 84.044, df = 22, p < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was also observed between work-related stress and absenteeism (r = 0.567, p < 0.001). Respondents generally identified stress, heavy workload, long working hours, health-related concerns, and poor work–life balance as factors associated with absenteeism. The findings highlight the importance of addressing attendance concerns alongside workplace conditions and employee well-being. The study provides practical insights for developing supportive attendance policies and more responsive human resource practices. However, its cross-sectional design and convenience sampling limit causal interpretation and generalizability.