Excused Absence Definition

The scheduled or unscheduled time off from work that occurs when an employee is not present at work during a normally scheduled work period is called an absence. An excused absence is an absence that the employee schedules in advance with his or her manager or supervisor or for which the employee provides an acceptable reason upon return to work. An excused absence is scheduled in advance for such events as vacation, medical appointments, military service, family activities, surgery, jury duty, funerals and more.