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Attendance Policy
Free employee attendance policy template establishing expectations for punctuality, absences, and the process for reporting time off.
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This free attendance policy covers Purpose, Reporting an Absence, Excused vs. Unexcused Absences, Points/Occurrence System (if used), Chronic Tardiness/Absenteeism with 4 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for small business owners and first-time managers handling an HR moment professionally without a dedicated HR department to lean on. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Attendance Policy
Company: [Company Name] · Effective Date: [Date]
Purpose
This policy sets clear expectations for attendance and punctuality to maintain smooth business operations.
Reporting an Absence
Employees who will be absent or late must notify [Manager/System] at least [Timeframe, e.g. 1 hour before shift start], except in genuine emergencies.
Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
[ ] Excused: illness (with notice per this policy), approved PTO, bereavement, jury duty, and other legally protected leave. [ ] Unexcused: no-call/no-show, or absence without proper notice.
Points/Occurrence System (if used)
[ ] [Company Name] uses a points-based attendance system: [describe point values for tardiness, unexcused absence, no-call/no-show, and the threshold that triggers disciplinary action].
Chronic Tardiness/Absenteeism
Repeated attendance issues will be addressed through the progressive discipline process, referencing specific dates and patterns.
Protected Leave Carve-Out
This policy does not apply to absences protected under FMLA, ADA reasonable accommodation, or other applicable leave laws, which are governed by their own separate policies.
Adopted by: ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. A rigid points-based attendance system that doesn't explicitly carve out legally protected leave (the last section) can inadvertently penalize an employee for FMLA or ADA-related absences — a common and costly compliance mistake if the policy is applied mechanically without that exception.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 6 standard sections: Purpose, Reporting an Absence, Excused vs. Unexcused Absences, Points/Occurrence System (if used), Chronic Tardiness/Absenteeism, Protected Leave Carve-Out
- 4 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Growing teams
Formalizing hiring and performance processes as a company adds its first employees.
FAQ
Is this attendance policy template really free?
Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this attendance policy as a PDF without creating an account.
What does this attendance policy cover?
This hr template includes Purpose, Reporting an Absence, Excused vs. Unexcused Absences, Points/Occurrence System (if used). Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. This follows common HR practice, but requirements around notice, classification, and required disclosures shift by state and change over time. Get an employment attorney or HR professional to confirm compliance for your specific situation before relying on it.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 4 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free hr and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
More free document templates
- Employee Offer Letter
- Employee Written Warning / Disciplinary Notice
- Employment Agreement
- Cover Letter
- Employee Handbook Outline
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Why use this instead of a generic template
Security
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Legality
Templates are drafted for general use, not a substitute for legal advice — check the note on each page for specifics.
Privacy
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Speed
Copy the subject and body directly — no form to fill in, no export step, no waiting on a download link.
Mobile-friendly
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