Final answer:
Absenteeism is the habitual avoidance of work without good reason and is an issue for employers. It's different from presenteeism (being at work while not fully functional), tardiness (being late), and vacation (planned time off). The correct answer to the question is A. Absenteeism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Absenteeism refers to the habitual non-presence of an employee at their job. Habitual non-attendance can be a significant issue within workplaces, and it's described as regularly staying away from work without good reason. Absenteeism is most closely associated with the scenario of workers not showing up for their designated shifts.
In contrast, presenteeism refers to workers who are on the job but not fully functioning due to illness or other medical conditions. Tardiness refers to the habit of being late, while vacation is a planned time away from work. Using these definitions, we can therefore conclude that the correct answer to the question is A. Absenteeism.
Within a historical context, like during World War II, workers would sometimes forgo vacations or agree not to strike to keep production going. This is an example of the opposite of absenteeism because workers were being extra present to support the war effort. In academic settings, such as college math classes, absenteeism is a concern because it can contribute to higher drop rates among students.
Finally, learning from the experiences of coworkers and adjusting one's behavior to avoid being late reflects an understanding of the consequences of tardiness, which is related but distinct from absenteeism.