One-in-five Irish employees admit to absenteeism as workplace dissatisfaction grows.
One in five employees in Ireland have admitted to misusing leave policies and taking absences without valid reasons, according to new research from payroll business SD Worx Ireland.
The survey of 1,000 Irish employees revealed that 40% of workers believe their teams are experiencing issues with employee absenteeism, suggesting either underreporting of unauthorised absences or heightened suspicion among colleagues.
“Ireland is at full employment and organisations are facing a critical need to re-evaluate how they engage and support employees”
Workplace dissatisfaction appears widespread, with nearly half (49%) of employees feeling underpaid for their work. Meanwhile, 44% are actively looking for new employment, though 60% acknowledge finding a new job in the current market is difficult.
Guidance and mentorship crucial
“This research highlights a growing sense of dissatisfaction among Ireland’s workforce,” said Eimear Byrne, country leader at SD Worx Ireland. “With 39% of respondents saying their manager struggles with effective leadership, it’s clear that many employees feel they’re lacking valuable guidance and mentorship.”
The survey also uncovered significant concerns about workload and staffing. Approximately 46% of employees reported their teams are facing staff shortages and struggling to manage current workloads. Looking ahead, 48% expect these talent shortages to worsen in coming years, while 43% believe their team’s skills gaps cannot be easily filled.
Despite these challenges, there are positive signs – 63% of employees reported feeling motivated and passionate about their work, with 62% willing to recommend their organization to job-seeking friends.
Byrne noted that the findings come as the EU Pay Transparency Directive is set to be transposed into Irish law in June 2026, which “if done right, could be an opportunity to alleviate employees’ pay concerns and help to build trust.”
“Ireland is at full employment and organisations are facing a critical need to re-evaluate how they engage and support employees,” Byrne added. “Now is the time to invest in people strategies and provide employees with the support, development opportunities, and workplace culture they need to thrive.”
The research was conducted by iVOX in February 2025 across 16 European countries, surveying a total of 5,625 employers and 16,000 employees.
Main image: Eimear Byrne, country leader at SD Worx Ireland
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