Comments on: Your HR Guy hates Attendance Issues

By: Guy Farmer

Guy Farmer — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:58:59 +0000

It is amazing how bent out of shape companies get on attendance. In a results-only workplace people are free to come and go as long as they perform well. I like this approach because it assumes that employees can do the work, can manage their own time and don’t need to be babied along the way.
Not worrying so much about attendance also allows leaders to focus on more important things like how well the company is doing. I’ve also found that leaders who don’t sweat the small stuff and give their employees the ability to make decisions on their own benefit from having happier, more productive people.

By: rahul sharan

rahul sharan — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:11:31 +0000

hi guys
i read ur comments. would like to ask a question hoping u wud help me. i am working in an it firm in india. the problem is that people come on on time but do not sign their attendance registers at all. n then they post a query in the HR tool asking us (HR) to do the needful. it is really bugging. we might intall the security systems like BioMetric systems in future but currently can u suggest me some ways to curb it. even i m not in favor of an attendance policy. i beleive communication across all verticals also does a fair bit. would like ur assistance in this. thnx

By: christne

christne — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:42:28 +0000

Well said Wendy, From a manager standpoint I agree, the rules need to be clear. The fairness in the workplace is a big issue. On the flip side, I do think if an employee is not abusing attendance and is an outstanding employee, that should also be accommadated. I for one am experiencing both at the same time. Because I have an employee that out performs the rest…she/he thinks it’s OK to abuse attendence and take off a day whenever. This makes it very hard to manage work loads and deadlines. It DOES matter. Attitude and dependabilty are just as important as performance. One should have the ability in management to discern the differnce if one is a good manager.

By: I’m too texty for this post « Marenated

I’m too texty for this post « Marenated — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:03:23 +0000

[...] This thread posits that attendance policies are becoming a moot point. Yeah, we all know ROWE would rule but how to make that happen overnight? [...]

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:58:13 +0000

I disagree, I come in on time all the time but the employees around me come in when they feel like it, this means someone has to pick up their slack, since I’m there it gets tossed on me. I think business should treat their employees like kids. Face it these are adults they know their shifts and they abuse it by coming in late all the time or taking really long lunchs so they should be treated like children. They are suppose to be more responible then kids, so why aren’t they.

By: Scott Ray

Scott Ray — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:14:03 +0000

It is my true belief that it is according to the business. Some business need a more strict policy. Some business may be able to say ok you manage your time but it will be a performance issue at rating time. One way of handling attendance does not fit all organizations.

By: Your HR Guy

Your HR Guy — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 16:44:28 +0000

Exactly Ragan! And sorry your comment got killed by my spam zapper. I saved you

By: Ragan Jones

Ragan Jones — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:56:51 +0000

I agree totally – if people are doing their jobs, doing it well and everything is fine, then who cares if they take a friday off, or come in late or leave a bit early. If an employer cannot be flexible with time-off, employees will find one that is because there are plenty of them out there that are more than willing to be flexible.

Attendance policies remind me of school and treating employees like children does not make for a good working environment. It breeds resentment and rebellion – treat your employees like children and they will act like children.