Attendance and Punctuality

Amended: 1-16-2024

Provided by: Department of Human Resources 

Related Links and Resources: 

• Requests for time off/reporting illness time for postdoctoral scholar is covered in the postdoctoral scholars’ handbook.  
• Additionally, people who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement should refer to those CBAs. Collective bargaining agreements  

This policy applies to all at-will staff, limited term staff, or any other members of the Tufts community who are paid directly by Tufts University’s payroll department, or who are otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement. 

Each Tufts member performs an important function at the University.  As with any group effort, operating effectively takes cooperation and commitment from everyone.  Therefore, regular, and predictable attendance and punctuality is very important.   

While committed to workplace flexibility, the university recognizes the business need for you to provide advanced notice of changes in schedule, for any reason.  Within this context communicating schedule changes or requesting time off, following procedures prescribed by your department guidelines is required. For anticipated absences, such as a scheduled doctor's appointment, you are expected to notify your supervisor, providing as much notice as possible in order to manage coverage. Departments involving direct services, patient care and emergency services may have specific call-in procedures that override this procedure.  

If you are uncertain of the call-in procedure for your department, please check with your supervisor. Absences must be reported daily, unless specifically instructed otherwise such as during an approved leave of absence. 

Unreported absences of three consecutive workdays generally will be considered job abandonment. 

Excessive absenteeism, tardiness and/or early departures may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.