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Absence Rate Calculator

Calculates the percentage of scheduled work time lost to employee absences

Absence Rate

Enter scheduled and absent days to calculate

Total Absent Days (Workforce)

Absent days multiplied by number of employees

Estimated Cost Impact

Enter an hourly rate to estimate cost impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal absence rate?

The average absence rate in the US is about 2.8% of scheduled work days. Rates vary by industry: manufacturing 3-4%, healthcare 4-5%, office/professional 2-3%. An absence rate consistently above 4% may indicate workplace issues worth investigating.

How do you calculate absence rate?

Divide total absent days by total scheduled work days, then multiply by 100. For a team: sum all absent days across employees and divide by total scheduled days for the entire team. Include only unplanned absences (not PTO or holidays) for a meaningful metric.

What is the cost of employee absenteeism?

The CDC estimates that absenteeism costs US employers $225.8 billion annually, or about $1,685 per employee. Costs include wages paid for no work (if salaried), overtime for covering employees, temporary replacements, reduced productivity, and administrative handling.