title: When the management of nurse absenteeism becomes a cause of absenteeism: a study based on a comparison of two health care facilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to explore perceptions of the causes of nurse absenteeism.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nurse absenteeism is rising in many countries. However, there is little evidence as to how strategies adopted in order to cushion the effects of absenteeism on workload influence absenteeism itself.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a 'qualitative' method based on cognitive mapping techniques in order to represent perceptions about absenteeism graphically. The study was conducted in two health-care facilities with a sample of 55 interviewees.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Absenteeism is due in part to strategies adopted in order to cushion the effects of absenteeism on organisations. Furthermore, the strategies are self-legitimising. The more they are used, the more they are regarded as normal and useful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A plan to reduce absenteeism among nurses must explicitly take into account the strategies used to cushion its impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To cushion the effects of absenteeism among caregivers, managers must make trade-offs that take into account, for example, the workload or disruption linked to the substitution of personnel.
authors.affiliation: Université de Rouen, IAE/NIMEC, Rouen, France.
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Damart
authors.affiliation: Mines ParisTech, CGS, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kletz
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses; D010557:Personnel Administration, Hospital / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D016526:Workload / Q000592:standards
keywords: cognitive mapping technique; health-care facilities; management of absenteeism; nurse absenteeism