The Impact of Work Hours Discrepancy on Absenteeism

Abstract

This study provides a new theoretical perspective on the impact of the discrepancy between actual and desired weekly hours of work on employee absenteeism. Using a Canadian nationally representative, employer–employee matched sample, we find that work hour discrepancy has a significant impact on employee absenteeism. This impact is different among overemployed and underemployed employees. These findings provide new insights into the determinants of absenteeism and the implications of constraining employees in their choice of weekly hours of work.