Skip To Content
Article

Teacher Absences Compared to Other Professionals

Large pages of a calendar hanging from a wall.

A new study comparing teacher absences to other college-educated workers shows that previous assumptions about teacher absence rates may be wrong.

A working paper published by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University examined data between the 1995 and 2019 school years. Results show that teachers take the same or fewer absences as other professionals. The professions examined included nursing, accounting, social work, and education support.

Teachers’ attendance behavior shows fewer demands for absences. They have fewer paid leaves, and they are more likely to attend work despite the need to be absent. Findings also show individuals who prefer fewer absences tend to enter the teaching profession.

For more information on the topic, check out the paper, Are Teachers Absent More? Examining Difference in Absence Between K-12 Teachers and Other College-Education Workers.

Was this article helpful?
April Mabry
April Mabry
HR Services Assistant Director

April Mabry oversees HR Services training services, member library products, and the HRX newsletter. She has provided HR training and guidance to Texas public schools  since 1991. Mabry was a classroom teacher for 11 years in Texas and Michigan.

Mabry has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Michigan and certification as a professional in human resources (PHR) and is a SHRM-CP.

HR Services

TASB HR Services supports HR leadership in Texas schools through membership offerings in specialized training, consulting, and other services.
HRX Logo

Subscribe to HRX

Stay up to date with all the latest HR news and trends by joining the HRX mailing list!