Determinants of Absenteeism in selected Local Government Councils In Ife/Ijesha Senatorial District of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Employee absenteeism is a global phenomenon and has been on the increase in contemporary times in the workplace. From all indications, employee absenteeism is detrimental to organizations in respect of the increased cost associated with high incidence of absenteeism. Any attempt to reduce absenteeism can be extremely difficult without proper understanding of the root cause. This study therefore investigated factors that determine absenteeism in the local government councils in Ife/Ijesha Senatorial District, and what can be done to reduce this problem. The specific objectives of the study are: (i) identify the factors that influence absenteeism in the local government councils in Ife/Ijesha Senatorial District; (ii) investigate whether absenteeism is purposive, intentional or accidental; and (iii) determine what can be done to reduce the incidence of absenteeism among employees in the local government councils in Ife/Ijesha Senatorial District. The findings showed that there was significant relationship between age and absenteeism and length of service and absenteeism (χ2 = 11.2974; p > 0.05; χ2 =5.8333; p > 0.05) but no significant relationship between gender and absenteeism and length of service and absenteeism (χ2=1.5415; p < 0.05; χ2=7.4049; p <0.05). The main thesis of the study
is that out of array of factors that determine or influence absenteeism, poor wages and salaries as well as lateness/irregularities in payment of salaries are the most crucial factors.