Exploring worker's absence pattern in the construction industry in Iran

Workers' absence considerably affects the performance of labor-intensive construction projects. Identifying such absence patterns assists construction project managers in preparing proper project organization, reducing the absence rate, and improving the project performance. Despite its critical role, no study has investigated the absence pattern in the construction industry in Iran. This study addresses this gap by identifying the worker's absence pattern and providing recommendations to reduce the absence rate. First, a comprehensive literature review is conducted on the impacts of influential factors in the worker's absence. Then, a questionnaire-based survey is designed and distributed among project managers, work supervisors, and human resource experts in different construction companies. The absence rate of seven percent achieved for the construction industry in Iran is among the high rates compared to the rates reported for other countries. The organizational policies, the national holiday season, and the size of the working groups are among the main influential factors. Enhancing teamwork spirit, enforcing severe implications for the worker's absence, and increasing managers' site visits are among the recommended policies for reducing the absence rate. The identified pattern in this research applies to evaluating and improving the performance of construction companies in Iran. (C) 2021 Sharif University of Technology. All rights reserved.