Absenteeism and tardiness.

A disturbing problem for foremen and supervisors is chronic absenteeism and tardiness -- production is usually hindered. Here's a recent example where an employee had more gall than dedication to the job:

The employee was a safety observer for a company that provided telephone service to a U.S. Army base. After the employee' supervisor noticed that the employee had a large number of unexplained absences, as well as numerous days when she arrived late for work, he spoke to her about her poor attendance. The employee continued to come in late or not show up at all.

When verbal warnings proved ineffective, the site manager sent the employee a series of letters warning her that continued attendance problems could result in suspension or other disciplinary action, including termination. When the employee's attendance still did not improve, the manager suspended her for two days.

At an arbitration hearing on the employee's protest of her suspension, she claimed that management did not impress upon her the seriousness of her attendance problems. She added that she was a victim of discriminatory treatment -- other workers had been tardy but she was the only one to be suspended. Management noted that the employee had been given written warnings about her tardiness and absences. As for the employee's contention of being unfairly singled out for suspension, management pointed out that no other employee had anything even approaching the employee's "horrendous" record.

The arbitrator upheld the employee's suspension. He said there was no dispute that the employee's attendance record was riddled with absences and tardiness. It was also clear that the employee was repeatedly counseled by her supervisor, then given several written reprimands, all dealing with her attendance. The arbitrator said that although no other employee had ever been suspended for poor attendance, no other employee had an attendance record as bad as the employee's. (104 LA 783)

It would seem in this particular case, management was lax in dealing with absent and tardy employees. Inherent in the management of any business is management's right to expect that all employees will arrive on time and that attendance will be regular and reliable. The employee in this particular case tested management's disciplinary fortitude.