Predicting temporal trends in total absenteeism rates for civil service employees of a federal public health agency.

Objective: This study evaluates the predictability in temporal absences trends due to all causes (total absenteeism) among employees at a federal agency. The objective is to determine how leave trends vary within the year, and determine whether trends are predictable.

Methods: Ten years of absenteeism data from an attendance system were analyzed for rates of total absence.

Predicting temporal trends in sickness absence rates for civil service employees of a federal public health agency.

Objective: To determine whether trends of sickness in employees at a federal agency are predictable, and whether the variance was minimal enough to detect unusual levels of employee illness for further investigation.

Methods: Ten years of absenteeism data from an attendance system were analyzed for rates of sickness absence. Specifically, week of year and day of week were used to describe temporal trends.