A survey of American workers indicates that workers who are absent fro

A survey of American workers indicates that workers who are absent from work more often are more likely to be in a low paying job. Workers who were absent from work at least ten percent of the time were five times as likely to be earning an annual income in the bottom twenty percent of the surveyed workers. Workers who were absent from work one percent of the time or less were twice as likely to have an income in the top ten percent. Therefore, the average worker could increase his or her wages by simply improving attendance at work.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?


A. Many high-paid executives are allowed more leave than are lower paid workers.

B. According to a recent study, most absences from work are due to illness of family members.

C. Lower-paid workers have less incentive to come to work than higher-paid workers and are more likely to take time off to look for a better paying job.

D. The attendance patterns of many workers vary seasonally, with more absences occurring in the summer months.

E. The individuals with poor attendance at work also had poor attendance at school.