absentee

Absentee is an English noun and adjective referring to a person who is not present where they are expected to be, or to something relating to that absence. In everyday use it appears in phrases such as absentee voter, absentee landlord, and absenteeism. As a noun, an absentee is someone absent from a place of work, school, or other duty. As an adjective, it describes things associated with absence.

Absenteeism describes the habitual failure to attend, which can be voluntary or due to illness. It is monitored by organizations to manage productivity and comply with labor or school policies. Causes include health issues, caregiving obligations, transportation barriers, or disengagement; management often uses attendance policies, flexible scheduling, remote work, or accommodations to reduce it.

Absentee ballots are ballots cast by voters who are not present at their polling place on election day. The specific rules vary by jurisdiction but typically require prior registration or a request, and may involve mail-in, fax, or drop-off procedures. Safeguards include identity verification, signature matching, and ballot tracking. In some regions, universal mail voting is available. Absentee voting is designed to increase electoral participation and accommodate voters who are traveling, ill, or otherwise unable to vote in person.

Other uses include absentee proprietors in property markets who own land or buildings without residing on-site, and historical references to absentee governance or landlords in urban development.