R&D project on the health and care sector incorporates absence prediction into the staffing plans so that the need to hire extra guards is reduced to a minimum. The aim of such staffing plans is to ensure continuity in the services by being able to use permanent staff with the right skills and a high level of presence. The project will document practices in municipalities and hospitals and what experiences they have with staffing plans that can reduce the use of temporary workers when permanent employees are absent. Method: Qualitative interviews at six service locations and a survey of nurse managers.