Attendance & punctuality policy template
Set clear expectations for work attendance and punctuality in your workplace. Covers attendance standards, recording requirements, notification procedures and consequences for repeated lateness or absence.
Attendance & punctuality policy
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Why you need an attendance policy
Consistent attendance and punctuality are fundamental to workplace productivity and fairness. When employees regularly arrive late or are frequently absent, it disrupts operations, places extra burden on colleagues and creates resentment in the team.
A clear attendance policy sets expectations from day one, provides a framework for addressing issues fairly and consistently, and protects your business from claims of unfair treatment. It also helps distinguish between genuine circumstances and patterns of poor attendance.
Without a documented policy, managing attendance issues becomes subjective, inconsistent and legally risky. This template gives you a fair, compliant framework that treats all employees equally.
Key elements of an attendance policy
What your attendance & punctuality policy should include
Attendance expectations
Clear standards for when employees are expected to be at work and ready to perform their duties.
Punctuality standards
Specific requirements for arriving on time and commencing work at scheduled times.
Recording requirements
How employees must record their attendance, including clock-in/out procedures.
Notification procedures
Requirements for notifying managers of absences, lateness or early departures.
Consequences for breaches
Progressive disciplinary measures for attendance and punctuality issues.
Manager responsibilities
How managers should monitor attendance, address issues and maintain records.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive attendance management framework
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
Policy statement
The organisation's expectations for employee attendance and punctuality.
Attendance standards
Requirements for being present and ready to work during scheduled hours.
Punctuality requirements
Standards for arriving on time and commencing work promptly.
Recording attendance
Methods for clocking in/out and maintaining accurate time records.
Absence notification
How and when to notify management of absences or lateness.
Lateness procedures
How late arrivals are recorded and addressed.
Patterns of absence
How frequent absences or lateness will be monitored and managed.
Consequences
Progressive disciplinary action for repeated breaches.
Management responsibilities
Manager obligations for monitoring and addressing attendance issues.
Who should use this template?
Essential for shift-based and time-sensitive workplaces
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian workplace requirements at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor this template to suit your business, applicable awards and enterprise agreements. Any disciplinary action must comply with unfair dismissal laws and procedural fairness requirements.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act.
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Ready to set clear attendance standards?
Download our comprehensive attendance & punctuality policy template and create a fair, consistent framework for your workplace.
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Disclaimer
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.