Employee Absenteeism and Its Effect on Production Output in Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ogba, Lagos

This study investigates the relationship between employee absenteeism and production output at Guinness Nigeria Plc in Ogba, Lagos State, South West Nigeria. As a major player in Nigeria's fast-moving consumer goods sector, Guinness Nigeria depends heavily on consistent production schedules, making chronic absenteeism a significant operational concern. A descriptive case study design was adopted, using company HR records spanning three years alongside a structured questionnaire administered to 140 production workers and supervisors. The study draws on the Bradford Factor Model and the Absence Culture Framework, complemented by recent literature on workforce reliability in manufacturing. Findings reveal a statistically significant negative correlation between absenteeism rates and daily production output, with each percentage increase in unplanned absence leading to measurable reductions in units produced per shift. The study identifies ill-health, lack of transportation support, personal and family emergencies, and low motivation as the leading drivers of absenteeism among production staff. Night shift workers exhibit significantly higher absenteeism rates than day shift counterparts, pointing to scheduling design as a contributing factor. Recommendations include the introduction of attendance incentive schemes, free medical screening programs, structured shift rotation policies, and an employee shuttle service for non-residential workers. This study provides a data-driven evidence base for production HR management in Nigeria's beverage sector and is directly applicable to plant HR managers, factory directors, and operations research practitioners. Keywords: employee absenteeism, production output, manufacturing, Guinness Nigeria, Lagos