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Top2. Background/Motivation
Absenteeism, a term used to refer to absences that are disruptive to proper work scheduling and output, and costly to an organization and the whole economy (Anonymous, 2007). Since 1993, the absence rates for each education level have shown a rising trend (Figure 1 and Table 1). There are many reasons for work absences in the labour force supply, “own illness or disability” and “personal or family responsibilities” are the main two categories in the personal reasons (Anonymous, 2009). Since the “own illness or disability” has more accident, everyone cannot avoid a sick, this paper will pay attention to on the personal or family responsibilities, such as caring for children and older persons. On average, men lost fewer days than women (Anonymous, 2009). It is related to the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, which is designed for pregnant women (Service Canada, 2014). The parental leave is an important employee benefit for women (Anonymous, 2009).
Figure 1.
Absence rates of full-time employees, by education, Canada 1993-2013 (Data source: Statistics Canada. Table 279-0036 - Absence rates of full-time employees, by sex and education, Canada, annual (percent unless otherwise noted))
Table 1.
Absence rates of full-time employees, by education, Canada 1993-2013
| Education Rates | Less Than Grade 9 Incidence Rate | Some Secondary Incidence Rate | High School Incidence Rate | Some Postsecondary Incidence Rate | Postsecondary Incidence Rate | University Degree Incidence Rate |
| 1993 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 4.7 |
| 1994 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 4.7 |
| 1995 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 6 | 6.4 | 4.8 |
| 1996 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 4.9 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6.3 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| 1998 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 4.6 |
| 1999 | 6.9 | 7 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 4.8 |
| 2000 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 6.5 | 5.3 |
| 2001 | 7.7 | 8 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 5.8 |
| 2002 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 7.8 | 8 | 8.1 | 6.7 |
| 2003 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 7.8 | 6.4 |
| 2004 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 7.5 | 8 | 7.9 | 6.7 |
| 2005 | 8.1 | 9 | 8 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 7.4 |
| 2006 | 7.4 | 9.5 | 8 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 7.3 |
| 2007 | 9.1 | 9.9 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 9.2 | 7.6 |
| 2008 | 9.1 | 9.9 | 8.3 | 9.3 | 8.9 | 7.5 |
| 2009 | 7.4 | 8.9 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 7.3 |
| 2010 | 9 | 8.5 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 7.2 |
| 2011 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 8 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 7.6 |
| 2012 | 7.4 | 8.7 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 7.3 |
| 2013 | 7.5 | 8.9 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 7.2 |
Data source: Statistics Canada. Table 279-0036 - Absence rates of full-time employees, by sex and education, Canada, annual (percent unless otherwise noted)