From Susan M. Heathfield,
Your Guide to Human Resources.
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Definition:

The scheduled time off from work that occurs when an employee is not present at work during a normally scheduled work period.

Excused absences are scheduled in advance for such events as vacation, medical appointments, military service, family activities, surgery, jury duty, funerals and more that cannot be scheduled outside of regular work hours.

Absences are generally compensated when their frequency and rationale fall within the guidelines established in the organization's attendance policy. These compensated absences may depend upon certain required employee actions such as seeking permission for scheduled absences from work in advance, or calling in to report an unscheduled absence within the organization's timelines and expectations.

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Also Known As: absenteeism, absent, not at work