Absence Policy Overview

Every organization with employees needs an absence policy. The absence policy informs employees about how to take time off work.

An absence policy should include:

  • How to get approval for a planned absence (taking a vacation, or a day off to do errands)
  • How to report an unplanned absence (woke up sick or had an injury the previous evening after work)
  • Whether paid absence is available, whether it accrues or how it accrues, and how it is paid
  • Whether unpaid absence is available
  • What happens to accrued but unused absences when an employee leaves the organization