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Initiating Authority
- Human Resources serves as the initiating authority for this policy.
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Purpose
- Regular attendance is vital to the productivity and functioning of each University
department, and in carrying out the overall mission of the University. The purpose
of this policy is to set forth attendance expectations for University Employees.
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Policy
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General Attendance Expectations
Employees are expected to report to work at the assigned time and place and to work
for the entire duration of their Scheduled Shift. Employees are not generally expected
to work during authorized meal and break periods, or at such other times as authorized
by department Leadership.
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Departmental Attendance Expectations
Attendance expectations shall be established by department Leadership based on the
business needs of the department and may vary based on an Employee's role within the
department. Departments may impose additional department-specific attendance requirements
that are appropriate to facilitate efficient operations and meet the business needs
of the department. Employees must have prior approval before changing their established
work schedule.
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Request and Approval for Time Off
Employees are expected to request and obtain approval for any planned Absences in
accordance with University policy and procedures, as well as any department established
procedures, in advance of the Scheduled Shift. Requests for planned Absences must
include the expected time/date of return.
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Reporting Unexpected Absences, Tardies, and Early Leaves
- Employees are expected to know and follow the department's established call-in procedures
for reporting any unexpected Absences, Tardies, or Early Leaves. Call-in procedures
and contact information are communicated by department Leadership.
- Unexpected Absences, Tardies, or Early Leaves must be reported to department Leadership
as soon as possible and accurately recorded on timesheets and leave reports, in accordance
with department Leadership expectations. Employees shall be required to use accrued
leave for unexpected Absences and may be required to use accrued leave for Tardies
and Early Leaves.
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Excessive and Patterned Absences
It is unacceptable for Employees to engage in excessive or patterned absenteeism.
Absenteeism may be considered excessive if it results in a significant disruption
to the work environment. Patterned absenteeism includes, but is not limited to, repeated
Absences on a weekend or overtime day; repeated Absences before or after a holiday;
repeated Absences at the beginning of the workweek; and/or repeated Absences at the
end of the workweek. Absences that have been approved with appropriate notice by department
Leadership and/or qualify as leave protected under state or federal law are not considered
excessive or patterned absenteeism.
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No Call/No Show
- A No Call/No Show Absence for three or more consecutive Scheduled Shifts may be considered
a voluntary resignation based on job abandonment.
- No Call/No Show Absences that occur as separate nonconsecutive events during any 12-month
period (e.g., 1st Absence in March and 2nd Absence in May) may result in the following
actions:
- 1st No Call/No Show Absence - written warning;
- 2nd No Call/No Show Absence - final written warning; and
- 3rd No Call/No Show Absence - separation of employment.
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Return to Work
When an Employee takes time off for three consecutive days or longer due to illness
or sick leave, Human Resources may require a physician release before the Employee
is permitted to return to work.
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Noncompliance
Failure to meet the requirements and expectations of this policy or to comply with
any other attendance related University policy or procedure may lead to coaching or
corrective action, up to and including involuntary separation from employment. Department
Leadership should contact Human Resources for assistance with addressing unmet expectations
in relation to Absences, Tardies, and Early Leaves.
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Definitions
- For the purpose of this policy only, the following definitions shall apply:
- Absence: Taking time off for the majority of a Scheduled Shift.
- Employee: An individual who provides services to the University on a regular basis in exchange
for compensation and receives a W-2 for such services. This includes temporary and
part-time Employees.
- Leadership: University Department Chairs, Directors, Deans, or any other individual designated
by the University with authority to supervise an Employee.
- No Call/No Show: An unapproved Absence that is not reported by an Employee to the appropriate department
designee within the first half of the Employee's Scheduled Shift.
- Tardy: Arriving to or starting work after the beginning of the Scheduled Shift or taking
an extended meal or break period, without prior Leadership approval.
- Early Leave: Leaving work prior to the end of the Scheduled Shift without prior Leadership approval.
Early Leave may be considered an Absence based on Leadership discretion, considering
the amount of shift worked and reason for departure.
- Scheduled Shift: The period of time that an Employee has been scheduled to work on a particular day
or the period of time on a particular day that an Employee is expected to work based
on the Employee's role, as defined by Department Leadership.
- University: Wichita State University.
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Applicable Laws And Additional Resources
- WSU Policy 3.34 / Family and Medical Leave Act
- WSU Policy 3.41 / Separation of Employment
- WSU Policy 3.48 / Coaching and Corrective Action
- WSU Policy 3.52 / Flexible Work Arrangements, Including Remote Work
- WSU Policy 7.07 / Time and Leave Policies
- Timekeeping Reference Guide
- Leave Administration
- Department of Labor, Family and Medical Leave Act