Sample absence policies
While any business operates best when all employees are present, employee absence and tardiness create more of a problem in some businesses than in others. With this in mind, we've designed two different sample absence policies. The first is very strict and is designed for businesses where both the presence and the promptness of employees are crucial, such as businesses with assembly-line production work. The second policy is less strict and is designed for businesses where performance is not dependent on adhering to a strict schedule, such as businesses that employ outside sales representatives.
You can use either policy, combine them, and/or edit them to create your own customized absence policy.
Sample Policy No. 1
Your timely attendance at work is crucial to making the business run smoothly. We must meet production requirements to satisfy our customer's demands. You need to do your part in achieving this goal, and one way is to maintain a good attendance record. Any absence or tardiness becomes a part of your employment record.
Punctuality requirements. Employees are expected to be at their workstations on time. Tardiness is defined as being at your workstation at least [insert a number] minutes past your scheduled starting time. You should also notify the appropriate person when you know you may be late for work. Being on time makes it easier for all of us because tardiness hinders teamwork among employees. Being tardy for work or leaving the job station before quitting time will be considered cause for corrective action.
An unscheduled absence for at least one-half the workday will be counted as one occurrence.
An absence for one or more consecutive workdays will be considered one occurrence. For example, if you're out two consecutive days, that will count as one occurrence.
If an employee returns from an absence (due to an illness) and goes out again due to the same illness after being at work for no more than one day, then the absence will be counted as one occurrence.
Repeated occurrences will result in verbal counseling, written counseling, and/or suspension or termination of employment.
Procedure. In the event that you are unable to come to work, be sure to call in and let the appropriate person know, in advance where possible, but no later than your regular starting time, so that arrangements for other help can be made.
Vacation days must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance except in cases of emergency.
Employees may be granted excused absences for sickness/illness when the appropriate person is notified prior to the start of work. Pre-scheduled medical/professional appointments (lawyers, clergy, counselors, etc.) or other compelling reasons, with prior supervisory approval, may also be considered as excused absences.
Absence of three or more consecutive scheduled working days without notifying the appropriate person will be considered as a voluntary termination, and you will be removed from the payroll.
Authorized absence documentation. We may require documentation of authorized reasons for absence, such as sick leave or jury duty, and may also verify the documentation where appropriate.
Inclement weather. The facility must continue to operate during periods of bad weather. Thus, the need for employees to be on the job during such emergencies is of paramount importance. You are expected to make every effort to report for work. If you do not report for work when scheduled during a weather emergency, you will be considered absent.
Sample Policy No. 2
As an employee, you will be treated as a professional, which means that you will be expected to complete your work on time and at the expected level of quality. If extra hours are needed to complete your work, you will be expected to put in those extra hours. If, on the other hand, you are able to complete your work in less than a standard workweek, you are free to use those extra hours as you see fit. In return for being treated as a professional, we expect you to behave as one and not to abuse these privileges.
Even though you will be treated as a professional and will presumably behave as one, general absence guidelines are nevertheless necessary to ensure that we are able to conduct business in a predictable manner. Although we are not interested in monitoring your comings and goings, we need to know, in advance where possible, when you will be absent from work. Here are those guidelines:
Absences. Employees are expected to be at work and to work a full workweek, except for authorized absences. Authorized absences include the following:
vacation time scheduled in advance
sick leave
time off for a workers' compensation injury
a death in your family
jury duty
time off to vote
military leave
emergency situations beyond your control
Notification procedure. To obtain an authorized absence, call in, where possible, and let the appropriate person know that you are unable to come to work. The call should be made, if possible, no later than your regular starting time.
As for notifying someone that you will be late to work or will be leaving early in the event your work has been completed, we ask that you use your best judgment. If you know someone is likely to need to know that you will be coming in late or leaving early, you should call that person and let him or her know.
Failure to notify. If you don't come to work and don't call in, at some point we have the right to determine that you're not coming back. Thus, our rule is that unauthorized absences of three or more consecutive days without notice will be considered as a voluntary termination, and we will remove you from the payroll.
If you are repeatedly absent without authorization, you could be subject to counseling, suspension, and termination.
Inclement weather. During inclement weather, you should call to find out whether to report to work. Also, while the weather may be nice where you are, hazardous weather conditions could exist at or near the workplace. If you know hazardous conditions have been reported in the area, protect yourself and call work first.
Sample Policy No. 3
[Company] is a dynamic organization of skilled professionals. Our clients often retain our services in no small part because of our ability to perform complicated and large projects on a timely basis. The scheduling of these services is often done by our clients on the senior management level and affects thousands of people throughout the clients’ organization. Our ability to meet deadlines and delivery goals is of paramount import.
The high level of responsiveness requires that we all, in turn, be as flexible as possible in scheduling time off, whether for vacation, personal days, sick days, family emergencies or religious observance. As fellow employees, we acknowledge that we need to support and contribute to the company’s efforts; as individuals, we know that each of our personal needs for time off from work will be unique and changing.
Please note that paid time off does not normally carry over into the next calendar if unused. However, we recognize that there may be unusual circumstances related to workload or other intervening factors and your Department Head is authorized to make special arrangements to carry over some or all of the paid time off days for a period of time that they will determine, not to exceed one additional year.
We recognize that there may be times when emergencies or other unanticipated occurrences will cause someone to be unavoidably absent or late. Please notify your Department Head as early as possible if this occurs and, if at all possible, in advance. However, please note that simply notifying your supervisor that you will be absent or late does not mean that it is appropriate. In fact, absences and lateness are elements that will be taken into consideration during performance review. Your supervisor is expected to monitor excessive absences or lateness and take the appropriate remedial steps.
Reprinted with permission. © CCH<p>While any business operates best when all employees are present, employee absence and tardiness create more of a problem in some businesses than in others.</p>
Sample absence policies
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