Ongoing developments regarding work attendance behaviour show increased rates of both absenteeism and presenteeism, with a higher susceptibility for the latter among millennials (1982-2000)....Show moreOngoing developments regarding work attendance behaviour show increased rates of both absenteeism and presenteeism, with a higher susceptibility for the latter among millennials (1982-2000). Previous studies identified high job demands a contributing factor for both outcomes. (Occupational) self-efficacy is an important personal resource to cope with these demands. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship of job demands with absenteeism and presenteeism among millennials, and whether occupational self-efficacy moderated these relationships. Using an online survey, a cross-sectional study (N = 155) was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between job demands and absenteeism, and the role of occupational self-efficacy. To explore the relationship between job demands and presenteeism with occupational self-efficacy as a moderator, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Age, gender, education, weekly working hours, underlying health problems, and general health status were included as confounder variables in both analyses. High job demands predicted a lower likelihood to show absenteeism and higher levels of presenteeism. Occupational self-efficacy directly and negatively predicted engaging in absenteeism, yet had no moderating effect on neither absenteeism, nor presenteeism. Higher numbers of weekly working hours negatively predicted the likelihood to engage in absenteeism. Having underlying health problems and job demands positively predicted presenteeism. Extending theoretical knowledge on job stressors and potentially alleviating factors should remain a topic of interest in order to better understand work attendance behaviour in millennials. Understanding underlying factors for their behaviour may help develop effective interventions to discourage presenteeism and prevent absenteeism within organisations.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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Achieving universal primary education is both promoted as a global development goal and as a priority for the Tanzanian government. To reach this goal, the government is committed to making primary...Show moreAchieving universal primary education is both promoted as a global development goal and as a priority for the Tanzanian government. To reach this goal, the government is committed to making primary education accessible for as many children as possible by making it both compulsory and free of charge. Nevertheless, there is still a problem with absenteeism in Tanzania. This ethnographic research explores the range of factors and reasons, besides tuition fees, that influence children's absenteeism through a case study of three primary schools in rural northern Tanzania. It analysesthe collaboration between these three schools and the Dutch-Tanzanian NGO Kamitei Foundation in addressing this issue. Based on interviews with teachers, parents, and pupils themselves, the main argument of this thesis is that the different roles that children have within rural households have consequences for their level of attendance. These household activities differ according to gender, and to the extent of how indispensable the children are within their household. Moreover, I found that differences in classroom pedagogy and in schools' policies of dealing with absenteeism also influenced the rate of absenteeism among pupils. Based on my findings, I argue that punishment or ignorance by the teachers as a response to not being present at school is one of the main factors that makes absence recurring, which makes it hard to reduce it. The Kamitei Foundation and the schools try to reach a consensus on this issue by working together to offer good quality education, even though it can be hard to reach the same level of understanding.Show less
