How to deal with unauthorised absence

Author: Claire Birkinshaw

Summary

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• Start by making all reasonable efforts to contact the employee to ascertain their position.
• Ensure that you keep a record of all attempts to contact the employee.
• Be aware that treating the employee's failure to report for work as a resignation is likely to be held to be an express dismissal.
• If the employee returns to work, investigate the reason for the absence.
• Take disciplinary action where appropriate, following a fair procedure.
• Where you are aware in advance that unauthorised absence is likely to result from a request for annual leave that has been turned down, warn the employee of the possible consequences if they go on holiday regardless.