What does the rate of absenteeism indicate?

The rate of absenteeism indicates the percentage of the workforce that is unavailable at any given time, typically due to illness, vacation, or other legitimate reasons for not attending work. This measure is crucial for businesses as it provides insights into employee wellness, morale, and operational efficiency. A high absenteeism rate can signal potential issues within the workplace, such as low job satisfaction, high stress levels, or ineffective management practices.

The other options do not accurately reflect what absenteeism measures. The total number of employees in a business does not provide any information about how many are actually present at work on a given day. Similarly, the rate of staff engagement relates to how motivated and committed employees are to their work, which is distinct from the concept of absenteeism. Finally, the amount of overtime worked is unrelated to absenteeism, as it pertains to employees taking on additional hours rather than tracking those who are not present. Thus, the correct choice clearly identifies absenteeism as a metric concerning workforce availability.