Playing truant within organisations. Informal relationships, work ethics and absenteeism

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between informal relationships, work ethics and (short-time) absenteeism. According to self-categorisation theory, which elaborates on the social identity theory, hypotheses were formulated for the relationship between consensus in work ethics within teams, informal relationships (cohesiveness) and short-term absenteeism. The hypotheses were tested within two Dutch organisations: study 1 concerns a housing corporation (n = 53, eight teams), and study 2 concerns a nursing home (n = 97, nine teams). As expected, consensus in work ethics and cohesiveness within a team were positively related. Results from multi-level analyses showed as expected, a negative relationship between cohesiveness within a team and short-term absenteeism of employees. Furthermore, an interaction-effect was found in the first study, but not in the second: the more cohesive the team, the stronger the relationships between work ethics and short-term absenteeism. Findings are discussed in terms of recommendations for further research and practical implications. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.