Recently, a hot search resonated with the majority of netizens: "If you can't buy a return ticket and can't go to work on time, is it considered absenteeism?" "With the end of the Spring Festival holiday, many people have encountered difficulties with the return journey. In the face of this phenomenon, there has been a lot of discussion about whether employees who are unable to return on time should be counted as absenteeism.
The Spring Festival is an important time for Chinese people to reunite, and many people go out to visit relatives or travel, and as the holiday draws to a close, they begin to embark on the road back. However, due to many factors such as the Spring Festival return to work, traffic congestion, and many other factors, many people find that the highly competitive tickets have been sold out and cannot return to work as planned.
However, should an employee who is unable to attend work on time for this reason be considered absenteeism? This sparked a series of discussions and controversies.
Proponents argue that failure to return on time is the employee's personal responsibility and dereliction of duty, and that the consequences of absenteeism should be borne by the employee. They believe that buying tickets in advance is a reasonable arrangement, and employees should be ready for the return trip before the end of the holiday. In addition, some advocate arranging alternate transportation in advance to cope with the shortage of tickets.
Opponents, however, argue that the inability to buy a return ticket is not entirely a personal issue for employees. During the Spring Festival, there are many people returning to their hometowns, and the shortage of tickets is a common situation. Many people who buy tickets in advance do not guarantee that they will be able to return on time, because the competition for tickets is so fierce that it makes people "crazy". Even with alternate transportation, there is a risk of delays and missed work hours due to congestion.
In addition, traffic congestion during the Chinese New Year period also needs to be considered. As we all know, traffic during the Spring Festival travel period is usually very congested, whether it is a road, high-speed rail or airplane, there may be delays and queues. Faced with this situation, employees often don't have full control over their return time.
In summary, there is no definite conclusion and generally applicable criteria as to whether an employee who is unable to come to work on time due to the inability to buy a return ticket should be counted as absenteeism. Factors such as personal liability, traffic restrictions, alternate means of transportation, etc., all need to be taken into account.
Perhaps, we should approach this issue in a more inclusive and flexible manner. Employers can communicate with employees to find common solutions. For example, late work hours, adjustment of work schedules, compensation for overtime, etc.
Ticket tension and traffic congestion during the Spring Festival are objective problems. Employees who are unable to return on time for this reason should not be overly punished with harsh punishments, but should be addressed with understanding and support. Only by recognizing the efforts and dedication of employees and giving them a certain degree of flexibility and tolerance can we create a more positive and harmonious working atmosphere.