Benefits: 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, contained in the attached file. 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. Also included in the file is a simple form that can be used to track employee absences.

File Description: The file contains a four-page document. The first three pages (containing the sample policies) are in rich text format (RTF) that is suitable for use with most word processing programs used in the Windows environment. The fourth page (containing the absence tracking form) is formatted as a table in Microsoft Word 6.0. To use this form, you need Microsoft Word version 6.0 or above or other word processing software that is compatible with Word documents.

Special Features: The stricter absence policy contains provisions on:

• punctuality requirements
• rules for counting absences
• notification and documentation procedures
• circumstances considered "voluntary termination" or reason for counseling, suspension, or termination
• types of absences classified as "excused"
• inclement weather procedures

The more flexible absence policy focuses less on tardiness and contains provisions on:

• general explanation of policy regarding completion of work in more or less than a standard workweek
• list of "authorized" absences
• notification procedures
• circumstances considered "voluntary termination" or reason for counseling, suspension, or termination
• inclement weather procedures

Download: Absence policies