Skip to main content

WSU Policies and Procedures

5.06 / Attendance

Effective
Sept. 23, 2025

  1. Initiating Authority

    1. Human Resources serves as the initiating authority for this policy.

  2. Purpose

    1. 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.

  3. Policy

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. Reporting Unexpected Absences, Tardies, and Early Leaves

      1. 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.
      2. 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.

    5. 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.

    6. No Call/No Show

      1. A No Call/No Show Absence for three or more consecutive Scheduled Shifts may be considered a voluntary resignation based on job abandonment.
      2. 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:
        1. 1st No Call/No Show Absence - written warning;
        2. 2nd No Call/No Show Absence - final written warning; and
        3. 3rd No Call/No Show Absence - separation of employment.

    7. 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.

    8. 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.

  4. Definitions

    1. For the purpose of this policy only, the following definitions shall apply:
      1. Absence: Taking time off for the majority of a Scheduled Shift.
      2. 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.
      3. Leadership: University Department Chairs, Directors, Deans, or any other individual designated by the University with authority to supervise an Employee.
      4. 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.
      5. 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.
      6. 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.
      7. 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.
      8. University: Wichita State University.

  5. Applicable Laws And Additional Resources

    1. WSU Policy 3.34 / Family and Medical Leave Act
    2. WSU Policy 3.41 / Separation of Employment
    3. WSU Policy 3.48 / Coaching and Corrective Action
    4. WSU Policy 3.52 / Flexible Work Arrangements, Including Remote Work
    5. WSU Policy 7.07 / Time and Leave Policies
    6. Timekeeping Reference Guide
    7. Leave Administration
    8. Department of Labor, Family and Medical Leave Act
About this policy version

New or Existing Policy

This is a new policy.

Last Revised Date of Policy

Policy 3.55 / Attendance was last revised January 29, 2019

Initiating Authority

Human Resources

Summary of Policy or Policy Change

This new policy is an updated version of Policy 3.55 / Attendance that is being relocated to Chapter 5 of WSU Policies and Procedures. Updates have been made to reflect and clarify the University's attendance expectations.

Specific changes made:

  • Updated definitions to include the terms as used in the policy and standardized University definitions, and for purposes of clarity.
  • Updated language throughout policy to assist employees in understanding expectations in relation to attendance and time off.
  • Reorganized so that policy statements are located in the policy section rather than in the purpose or the administrative procedures sections.
  • Clarified that Human Resources may require a physician release for an employee to return to work after an absence of three days or longer due to illness or sick leave.
  • Clarified that an employee may be required to record a tardy or leaving work early as accrued leave on a time sheet.
  • Clarified that failure to report to work within the first half of the shift without explanation will be considered a no call/no show.
  • Removed timekeeping procedures because timekeeping is addressed on the HR webpage and will eventually be moved into a different policy under Chapter 5.
  • Removed responsibilities section because responsibilities of leadership and employees are already addressed throughout the policy.
  • Updates were also made to conform with the University's standard policy format.

Reason or Need for Policy

The present new policy has been created as part of ongoing efforts to consolidate University policies and information related to time, pay, and leave under Chapter 5 of the WSU Policies and Procedures. The new policy updates and relocates Policy 3.55 / Attendance to Chapter 5.

Other Notes for Consideration

Along with approval of this new policy, Policy 3.55 will need to be rescinded.

Date Policy Request to PET

September 23, 2025

©