What is Absconding?

Absconding in the workplace refers to an employee leaving their job without giving prior notice to their employer or completing their assigned tasks or duties. This is a form of abandonment of the job or a breach of the employee’s contract with the employer.

Absconding can have severe consequences for both the employee and the employer. For the employees, it may lead to their employment termination and may also impact their future employment opportunities as it can leave a negative mark on their work record.

For the employer, it can cause disruptions to the workflow and may result in financial losses if the employee is handling important projects or tasks.

What are the reasons for absconding?

The reasons for absconding in the workplace are many. The most common of them are:

1. The employee failed to adapt to a new situation.
2. The employee was discharged from work without any notice or warning.
3. The employee is unable to perform well due to health conditions.
4. The employee has not been given a salary for several months.
5. There are no occupational safety measures or working conditions.
6. The employer is guilty of sexual harassment.
7. Absenteeism presents a problem in the organization, and the employer has failed to take adequate measures to address this problem.

What measures can be used to prevent an employee from absconding?

To prevent employees from leaving without notice, employers can implement various measures.

• One measure is the implementation of clear policies and procedures that are communicated to all employees, which can help foster a culture of open communication and trust in the workplace.
• Employers can conduct background checks to identify potential patterns of absconding in an employee’s work history before hiring them.
• Another measure is to frame an HR policy on uninformed absenteeism and employee absconding, which should include a legal clause in the job contract about absconding.
• Employers can also use an employee trust score checker to flag absconding employees and help act against them if needed.

Difference between Resignation, Termination, and Absconding

Resignation, termination, and absconding are three different ways in which an employment relationship can end. The main differences between these three are as follows:

Resignation

Resignation is when an employee voluntarily decides to leave their job. This can be for various reasons, such as better opportunities, personal reasons, or dissatisfaction with the current job. When an employee resigns, they usually give their employer a notice period, allowing the employer to plan for a replacement. Resignation is a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee.

Termination

Termination is when an employer decides to end the employment relationship with an employee. This can be for various reasons, such as poor performance, violation of company policies, or redundancy. Unlike resignation, the employer initiates termination, and the employee may or may not be given a notice period depending on the circumstances.

Absconding

Absconding is when an employee leaves their job without giving prior notice to the employer. Engaging in such behavior violates the contract and may lead to legal ramifications. Absconding is not a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee, and the employer is left in a difficult position to find a replacement without any prior notice.