A no-call, no-show employee is one who doesn’t call to say they can’t come in and doesn’t show up for their scheduled shift. When this happens, it disrupts your flow of business. Employees need to notify you when they’re unable to make it to work on time. Otherwise, you have the stressful process of finding someone to cover their shift. Here are some suggestions for handling no-call, no-show employees.
Follow Company Policy
Take action in line with company policy. This may involve terminating the employee when you see them. It might allow three unexcused absences before being let go. Your policy might require employees to work an undesirable shift when they return. Or, it could include a write-up and temporary suspension. Be sure your no-call, no-show policy is clearly defined so employees can’t take advantage of the system or cause legal issues due to a technicality. Include in your policy attendance issues, punishments, termination process, and other relevant information in line with state law. Detail how to request time off, use personal days, handle last-minute sick days, communicate with team members to fill a shift, and whether documentation from a doctor is required. Make sure employees read, understand and have access to the policy.
Talk with the Employee
Privately talk with the employee to find out why they didn’t call or show up for their shift. Perhaps they experienced an emergency, sudden illness, car accident, chronic health issue, or other valid reasons for their absence. Be aware that the real reasons for an unexcused absence may include wanting to extend the weekend, forgetting to set the alarm, losing a phone, missing the bus or being hungover. Explain how not showing up for work affects the team, production and meeting customer needs. Document everything said during the conversation and what the consequences for not showing up were. Follow through on what you decide to do. Treat your employees equally so they realize the seriousness of not showing up.
Reduce the Frequency of Incidents
Although you can’t eliminate no-call, no-show incidents, you can take steps to reduce their frequency. For instance, see whether you can improve the scheduling process. Perhaps employees’ work hours are unclear or unfair. Employees may be unaware of the schedule or not be receiving regular updates. Make it easy for them to request off. Many would rather face the consequences of not calling or showing up than requesting time off. If employees don’t show up on time, have a system for calling other employees to fill in. If they’re unable to cover, contact a reputable staffing firm to send in temps.
Contact Barracuda Staffing
When you need last-minute workers to cover for no-call, no-show employees, contact Barracuda Staffing. We supply temporary workers to fill your light industrial/manufacturing, administrative/professional, construction, warehouse/distribution and driver roles. Find out more about working with us today.