SOCIAL COMPARISONS AND ABSENTEEISM - A STRUCTURAL MODELING APPROACH

In this study a social comparison model is constructed that predicts o bjectively recorded absence frequency among male Dutch blue-collar wor kers from a metal factory in the Netherlands. By employing LISREL, the model is developed (tested and revised) in Plant North (N = 254), and successfully cross-validated in Plant South (N = 199). The study demo nstrates the impact of two social comparison processes upon absenteeis m. Absenteeism is the result of: (a) the perception that one is less w ell-off than one's colleagues on several job aspects, and (b) the adju stment of one's personal absence norm to that of the work group. In ad dition, our study reveals that, rather than being absent or having tol erant absence norms, employees may develop feelings of resentment in r esponse to perceived inequity and a tolerant group absence norm. It is concluded that social comparison theory enhances our understanding of absenteeism.