4.17 Unauthorized Absence

Origination date: 04/01/2018
Applicability: Academic Professionals, Administrators, Classified Staff, Faculty, and Service Professionals

Purpose

University employees are expected to demonstrate regular, punctual attendance. There are times when illness, emergencies, transportation, or other problems may result in absences, late arrivals or early departures. If an employee is unable to work, they are responsible for notifying their supervisor and requesting and obtaining approval for absence according to departmental procedure. 

Policy

Unauthorized absences include:

• Other than supervisor approved vacation or bereavement leave, time away from work in excess of the equivalent of five working days without an appropriate request and approval for a leave of absence as provided for by university policy.
• Absences from work for which proper reporting procedures have not been followed.
• Absences from work without supervisor approval.
• Absences from work for which a doctor’s note (per policy 4.03) has not been provided when requested by the supervisor.
• Absences from work as a result of not returning from an approved leave of absence on the date indicated in approved leave of absence paperwork.

Unauthorized absences may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Absences from work approved as part of an official reasonable accommodation process are considered authorized.

Reports and Records

Department Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the Human Resources Department is notified of employee absences for medical reasons that are in excess of three days and that absences are requested, approved and recorded accurately and timely by their employees in the university record of absence system.