HR Glossary >> Absconding
Absconding
When an employee is not reporting at work for consecutive days and has not informed his managers or peers about his whereabouts or the reason of his absence, this situation is called as absconding in human resource
What is Absconding?
Absconding in HR refers to a situation where an employee stops coming to work for several consecutive days without any formal communication or approval. This unexplained absence occurs when the employee does not inform their managers, HR, or peers about their whereabouts or the reason for their absence.
Key Features of Absconding
- No Prior Notice: The employee leaves the workplace without informing or officially resigning, breaking company policy.
- Unexplained Absence: There is no response to repeated communication attempts from the employer.
- Consecutive Days: Most companies consider an employee absconding if there’s an unexplained absence for a set number of consecutive working days (usually 3 or more).
- Potential for Sensitive Data Risk: The sudden, unreported departure might expose the company to risks of intellectual property or data loss.
Causes of Absconding
Employees may abscond due to:
- Job dissatisfaction or unresolved conflicts
- Better job opportunities elsewhere
- Personal or financial emergencies
- Fear of consequences related to poor performance, appraisals, or disciplinary actions
- Stress or workplace harassment
Absconding vs. Termination vs. Resignation
| Method | Initiated By | Notice Given? | Documentation Provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absconding | Employee (informal) | No | No |
| Termination | Employer | Sometimes (per policy) | Termination Letter |
| Resignation | Employee | Yes (per contract) | Resignation/Relieving Letter |
Absconding is unique because it is neither a formal resignation nor a structured termination, but an informal abandonment of the job.
Legal and Company Action on Absconding
- Legal Notice: Employers may send a legal notice demanding explanation or recovery of dues, devices, or company property.
- Civil Suit: If the employee fails to respond especially with outstanding loans, advances, or assets a civil case may be filed.
- Dues and Settlement: No salary is paid to the absconded employee after the last working day. Dues must be settled for work completed up to that point.
- Blacklisting: The employee may be blacklisted impacting future job prospects and eligibility for experience or relieving letters.
- Legal Consequences: Absconding can be treated as an offence under section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure if company assets remain unreturned or other conditions are met. Companies may initiate further action where serious breaches occur.
Implications for Employees
- Severe Reputation Damage: Absconding severely hampers your reputation, making future employment difficult.
- No Relieving/Experience Letters: Companies generally do not issue experience or relieving letters to absconders.
- Legal Risks: Depending on circumstances, you may face legal proceedings or have to compensate the employer for damages or unserved notice periods.