Absconding Meaning & Definition

When an employee does not report to work for consecutive days, it becomes concerning. If they do not inform the manager, peers, or anyone in the organization about their whereabouts, this situation is called absconding. Once the employee is declared as an absconder, the company, thus, according to the absconding employee policy, has the legal right to terminate him without notice and proper exit formalities.

Consequences of Absconding

Absconding can lead to severe consequences for both the employees and the organization. For the employees, this could lead to job termination. Moreover, it may also impact their future employment opportunities as it leaves a bad impression on the employee’s career or work record.

For the organization, absconding can create disruptions to the workflow, which may also lead to financial losses, especially if the employee is in charge of crucial projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.	What is absconding in HR?
Ans.	In HR, absconding refers to an employee who abstains from their job without intimation and remains untraceable.
Q2.	What happens if an employee absconds?
Ans.	According to the employee absconding rules, the company can take various legal actions if an employee absconds. In general, these actions can lead to termination without notice. Companies can also pursue legal action for pending dues or damages. Further, absconding from work can also have a negative impact on the employee’s future employment prospects.
Q3.	Can an employer take legal action against an absconding employee?
Ans.	Yes, employers have the legal right to take absconding legal action against the employee who absconds from work. More particularly, if the absconding consequences lead to damages or breaches of employment contracts. Employers can also take legal action by sending a notice to the absconder. In fact, if the absconder doesn’t revert back before the abconding notice period ends, then employer can terminate the absconder’s employment.
Q4.	How to prevent employees from absconding?
Ans.	The first step is to communicate with the employee who is absconding and listen to their concerns. Some of the steps that can help reduce the likelihood of absconding include: ✅ HR policy formulation, wherein all the employees are aware of the company’s take on employees absconding. ✅ Conduct thorough background verification to determine if there was a pattern of absenteeism in the candidate’s previous job. ✅ Come up with employee retention strategies, such as flexible work arrangements to help them achieve work-life balance.
Q5.	What are the effects of absconding on the employee’s career?
Ans.	Absconding can have bad effects on the employee’s career. Consequently the employee can face a loss of salary, and will not also receive an experience letter. The absconder will also be put on the blacklist and never be rehired. And most importantly, the company has the legal right to sue the employee to recover the pending dues.
Q6.	What is the absconding employee salary settlement?
Ans.	The employer can withhold the full and final settlement, take legal action, or even issue a negative reference for the employee. Thereupon, the company can also recover costs for the company’s assets not returned to them.
Q7.	Can I join another company after absconding?
Ans.	Yes, you can join another company after absconding but it will come with many challenges. Many companies conduct background verification of their candidates as part of their hiring process. Hence, if your manager reports about your absconding in your previous job, it could negatively impact your reputation.