Absence management refers to the process of tracking, monitoring, and addressing absences within the external workforce to ensure minimal impact on productivity and project timelines. It involves implementing policies to handle planned leaves, unplanned absences, and long-term absences effectively. This is particularly critical in external workforce management, where gaps in resource availability can delay critical milestones.

Employers leverage tools such as workforce management software to gain real-time insights into attendance patterns, automate reporting, and plan for replacements. Effective absence management strategies balance flexibility for workers with the organization's need for consistency, creating a structured yet adaptive approach to managing external talent.