Job Abandonment

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Question

We've had employees stop showing up to work without notice. At what point does that count as job abandonment, and what are some signs to look for?

Answer

There is no single definition of job abandonment; however, job abandonment generally occurs when an employee fails to report to work for a certain number of days without notifying their employer and without indicating an intent to return. Whether job abandonment occurs may depend on an employer’s particular job abandonment policy or practices. Job abandonment is distinguishable from other unexplained or unexcused absences as it generally involves an employee’s failure to communicate their absence and plan to return to work.

Some examples of job abandonment include but are not limited to:

• Failing to report on the first day of work;
• Not calling or not showing up for consecutive days;
• Failing to return from an approved leave of absence;
• Leaving work mid-shift without notice (for example, failing to return following a meal or rest break); and
• Failing to report to work following a relocation or reassignment.

A clearly written job abandonment policy is essential for setting expectations around attendance and handling unexcused absences consistently across the organization. This policy serves as a valuable reference for employers when deciding on disciplinary actions and next steps if an employee fails to report to work. It’s helpful to outline key details, such as how many consecutive unexcused absences qualify as job abandonment and the possible consequences, including termination.

It is a best practice to work with legal counsel when drafting such a policy to ensure it meets an employer’s needs while remaining legally compliant.