15+ Best Absence Management Software [2025]

The unscheduled absenteeism rate for hourly workers in the United States is 9%. So if you're managing an hourly workforce, you probably know how stressful it can be to switch around a workday when learning of a last-minute absence. The pressure of ensuring every employee is attending work on time and for the right shift can be overwhelming–especially when you’re also directing employee retention efforts, managing labor law compliance, and much more.

Fortunately, absence management software can help reduce those stresses for managers, HR teams, and the employees who need to call off. Employees can easily communicate with their supervisors, and employers can see exactly when and why employees are absent. They can address any potential issues proactively–effectively avoiding the “call-off chaos” that can accompany unexpected absences.

However, not all absence management software is created equal. It’s important to look for a platform that’s easy to use, meets employees and supervisors where they are, and enhances employee communication.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top absence management software solutions available today—so you can reduce no-shows, streamline communication, and take control of your team’s attendance with confidence. We’ll review some of the best systems on the market so you can stay on top of your tasks and reduce absenteeism in your workplace.

Key Features to Look for in Absence Management Software

Choosing the right absence management software can make the difference between a chaotic scheduling process and a well-oiled attendance system. To get the most out of your investment—and save time— ensure it's a tool your team will actually use—look for these essential features:

1. Simple Employee Call-Out or Leave Request Workflow

Employees should be able to report absences or request time off without jumping through hoops. Whether it's a mobile app, SMS text, or desktop interface, the process needs to be quick and accessible—especially for hourly or frontline workers. The best tools offer one-click or one-text functionality, reducing friction and ensuring better adoption.

2. Automated Approval Routing

Once a request is submitted, it should automatically route to the appropriate manager or HR personnel. Software that supports tiered approvals and notifies the right people in real time helps speed up decision-making and keeps everyone on the same page.

3. Real-Time Attendance Visibility

Live dashboards and reports give managers an immediate view into who’s out, who’s late, and which teams may need backup. This helps operations adjust staffing plans before productivity takes a hit.

4. Customizable Leave Policies

Every organization has different rules around vacation accruals, sick leave, or FMLA. Look for platforms that let you configure these policies to match your company’s specific compliance and cultural needs. Flexibility is key here.

5. Integration with Payroll, Scheduling, and HR Systems

The best absence management software doesn’t exist in a silo; it should be integrated into one platform . It should integrate smoothly with your existing tools—like payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and shift schedulers—to eliminate manual data entry and reduce errors.

6. Mobile and Multilingual Accessibility

In industries with distributed teams or non-desk workers, mobile-friendly interfaces and multilingual capabilities are critical. Employees should be able to interact with the system wherever they are, in the language they’re most comfortable using.

7. Automated Alerts and Reminders

Automated notifications for upcoming time off, pending approvals, or missed shifts can reduce miscommunication and help teams stay ahead of scheduling conflicts.

8. Data Insights and Absenteeism Reporting

Effective absence tracking software should offer built-in analytics. Look for tools that help identify patterns in tardiness or absenteeism so you can proactively address issues before they affect performance or morale.

9. Secure Document Storage and Audit Trails

To support compliance with labor laws and internal policy enforcement, your software should offer secure storage of absence records along with timestamped activity logs.

10. Scalability and Ease of Onboarding

Your needs will evolve as your business grows. Select a solution that scales easily and offers clear onboarding resources or customer support to help your team hit the ground running.

Quick Look At Absence Management Software Company Comparisons

Best Absence Management Software for Attendance Tracking

The right absence management software should make everyone’s life less complicated. It should be easy to use for both employees and managers and quick to implement and adopt–so you can get your time back.

TeamSense Attendance Tracking Software

Category: Attendance & Absence Management (Primary), Workforce Automation (Secondary)

Overview:
TeamSense Attendance Tracking Software is a text-based absence management solution designed specifically for deskless and hourly employees. It streamlines attendance call-outs, tracks absenteeism in real-time, and eliminates manual data entry by digitizing the entire process via SMS—no apps, logins, or downloads required. Built for speed, compliance, and ease of use, TeamSense reduces no-shows, improves visibility, and helps HR stay proactive with real-time attendance data.

Key Features:

• SMS-Based Call-Outs: Employees can report absences or tardies via a simple text message—no apps, portals, or logins required.
• Automated Alerts & Documentation: Managers receive instant alerts when someone calls out, while the system automatically records and stores attendance data for future reference or audits.
• Real-Time Attendance Dashboard: Provides HR with instant visibility into call-outs by location, shift, and reason, enabling faster staffing decisions and trend tracking.
• Attendance Reporting & Trends: Access detailed reports to identify absenteeism patterns, reduce manual tracking errors, and ensure compliance with internal policies and labor regulations.
• Policy & Escalation Support: Customizable rules ensure escalations are triggered when specific thresholds are reached, helping organizations enforce attendance policies effectively.
• Multilingual Functionality: Fully supports Spanish and other language needs via SMS, making it accessible for diverse frontline teams.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Automating and digitizing call-outs in manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, or other shift-based environments.
• Gaining proactive insights into attendance issues before they become costly staffing problems.
• Replacing outdated call-in lines, voicemail systems, and manual attendance logs with a streamlined, automated alternative.
• Enabling HR and operations to make faster decisions based on accurate, real-time attendance data.

Pricing:
TeamSense offers flexible, usage-based subscription pricing designed for scalability, from single facilities to multi-site enterprise operations. ROI is typically seen through lower costs, reduced absenteeism, faster HR response, and fewer staffing disruptions.

Integration Capabilities:
TeamSense integrates seamlessly with major HRIS, payroll, and scheduling systems. Attendance data is exportable and report-ready, allowing for easy integration with your existing workflows.

Why It’s Unique:
Unlike traditional attendance systems that rely on portals, apps, or phone lines, TeamSense brings absence reporting to the simplest and most accessible channel—SMS. With no learning curve and instant implementation, it enables 100% frontline adoption. TeamSense not only captures call-outs but transforms that data into actionable insights, helping organizations reduce absenteeism, ensure policy compliance, and boost productivity across the board.

BambooHR

BambooHR is a cloud-based human resources software tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. Its absence management module allows employees to request time off, track balances, and monitor accruals via an intuitive interface. Managers can review and approve requests, while robust reporting tools provide insights into absenteeism trends. BambooHR also integrates with broader HR functions, ensuring a seamless workflow.

Factorial

Factorial offers a comprehensive HR platform ideal for small to medium enterprises. It includes powerful absence management features such as flexible leave policies, automated approval processes, and a centralized calendar view. Employees can easily submit requests, while HR teams gain clarity on workforce availability and absence trends. It also provides analytics and integration with payroll and compliance tools.

TimeClock Plus (TCP Software)

TimeClock Plus by TCP Software is a versatile workforce management system that includes robust absence tracking tools. Employers can manage leave requests, configure accrual rules, and maintain compliance with labor laws. The platform supports diverse clock-in options (web, mobile, biometric), making it suitable for on-site and remote teams alike. Its real-time dashboards and audit capabilities offer complete visibility over workforce attendance.

Workforce.com

Workforce.com focuses on shift-based workforce management. Its leave management system includes self-service leave requests, manager approvals, and automatic syncing with team schedules. Real-time reporting helps teams reduce unplanned absences and streamline labor planning. Its mobile-friendly design and integration with payroll systems make it particularly effective for operations-heavy businesses like retail, healthcare, and hospitality.

Paycom

Paycom provides a full-suite HR and payroll platform with built-in absence management capabilities. Employees can use a self-service portal to submit and track time-off requests. Managers benefit from real-time visibility into availability and compliance, with customizable accrual settings and policy enforcement tools. Its unified platform ensures smooth integration with payroll, benefits, and performance modules.

NETtime Solutions

NETtime Solutions (a division of Synel Americas) delivers a cloud-based time and attendance solution with strong absence management functionality. Features include real-time monitoring, automatic accrual tracking, and custom leave types. It’s designed for simplicity and scalability, allowing easy integration with existing HR and payroll systems while providing accurate attendance data and workforce insights.

Timetastic

Timetastic is a user-friendly, cloud-based leave management system designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It replaces traditional spreadsheets with a centralized platform where employees can request time off, and managers can approve or decline requests. The system offers a shared team calendar, automated leave calculations, and integrates with popular calendar applications, streamlining the absence management process.

Calamari

Calamari is an HR software solution that offers modules for leave management and attendance tracking. Its leave management module allows for customizable leave types, automated approval workflows, and real-time notifications. Calamari integrates with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams, facilitating seamless communication and scheduling within organizations.

Jolt

Jolt is an operations management platform primarily used in industries like hospitality and retail. It includes features for employee scheduling, time tracking, and task management. Jolt's time tracking capabilities allow for monitoring employee attendance and managing time-off requests, helping businesses maintain compliance and operational efficiency.

PurelyHR

PurelyHR is a modular HR management software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. Its Time-Off module provides tools for tracking employee leave, customizing accruals, and automating approval processes. The platform offers reporting features and integrates with calendar applications, aiding in efficient absence management.

Eddy

Eddy is an all-in-one HR suite designed for small businesses. It includes features for hiring, onboarding, employee records management, and time-off tracking. Eddy's time-off tracking allows employees to request leave, view balances, and enables administrators to approve requests and configure leave policies, simplifying the absence management process.

Excel or Google Sheets

Many small businesses utilize spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for tracking employee absences. These tools allow for the creation of custom templates to log time-off requests, leave balances, and approval statuses. While cost-effective, they require manual updates and lack automation features found in dedicated absence management software.

LeaveBoard

LeaveBoard is a cloud-based leave management system aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. It automates employee time-off tracking, provides a shared team calendar, and offers real-time reporting. The platform supports customizable leave policies and integrates with tools like Google Workspace, enhancing organizational efficiency.

OfficeTimer

OfficeTimer is a comprehensive time tracking and project management software that includes leave management features. It allows for tracking employee attendance, managing leave requests, and configuring leave policies. The system offers reporting tools and integrates with payroll systems, facilitating streamlined HR operations.

actiPLANS

actiPLANS is a leave management system that provides tools for planning and tracking employee absences. It offers features like automated leave balance calculations, customizable leave types, and integration with actiTIME for time tracking. The platform aids in visualizing team availability and supports efficient resource planning.

How to Choose the Right Absence Management Software for Your Business

Finding the right absence management software starts with understanding the specific challenges your business faces when tracking and responding to employee absences. A solution that works for a corporate office might fall short in a warehouse or manufacturing setting and vice versa, so you must find the right tools. The key is to match the software’s strengths to your unique workforce needs.

If your team is largely deskless, remote, or multilingual, prioritize accessibility. Mobile-friendly or SMS-based platforms tend to see higher adoption rates, especially among shift workers or field-based teams. Tools that require logins or apps can create unnecessary friction and lead to underuse.

You’ll also want to make sure the software aligns with your company’s leave policies and compliance requirements. Look for customizable settings that allow you to define different types of time off, like sick leave, FMLA, vacation, or union-based leave, and create approval workflows that reflect how your business actually operates. If you work in a regulated industry or across multiple states, this flexibility becomes even more critical.

Another consideration is how well the tool plays with others. Absence management doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it often touches payroll, scheduling, and performance systems. Choosing software that integrates with your existing tech stack can save your HR team from double-entry headaches and reduce the risk of errors.

Usability is another area you can't overlook. Even the most advanced tools fall flat if they’re hard to use. A clean interface, minimal learning curve, and fast response time can be the difference between a system that streamlines operations and one that sits unused. If possible, demo the platform with a cross-section of your team to ensure it works for both administrators and frontline employees.

Lastly, think long-term. Your ideal absence management tool should scale as your business grows. Look at pricing structures, available features at higher tiers, and the company’s roadmap. Does it evolve with changing compliance laws? Can it support new locations or teams as you expand?

In the end, the right absence management software is one that simplifies attendance tracking, fits seamlessly into your daily workflows, and helps you make smarter staffing decisions. Take the time to evaluate each option from the lens of your real-world operations—not just feature checklists—and you’ll be set up for long-term success.