How To Make an Employee Attendance Improvement Plan | TeamSense

Mar 12, 2026

How To Make an Employee Attendance Improvement Plan

A practical guide for managers on how to address ongoing attendance issues with a clear improvement plan, set expectations, document next steps, and use a ready-made template to support consistent follow-through.

Sheila Stafford CEO & Co-Founder, TeamSense | Former Manufacturing Leader at GM, Whirlpool, and Fluke

Fix the root cause of No-Call No-Show with help from TeamSense

Table of Contents

When an employee starts showing signs of ongoing attendance problems, you may need more than a quick conversation to get things back on track. Hoping the issue clears up on its own usually does not work, especially when attendance problems start affecting scheduling, coverage, and the rest of the team.

That is where an employee attendance improvement plan can help; it provides a structured way to respond that benefits both the employer and employee. It helps managers set clear expectations, document next steps, and give the employee a fair chance to improve before the issue grows into a bigger operational problem. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to create a plan that is practical, clear, and actually useful on the job.

What is an Employee Attendance Improvement Plan?

An employee attendance improvement plan is an official document that usually comes from a supervisor or manager to address an employee’s excessive absenteeism or chronic absenteeism.

Simply put, an employee attendance improvement plan is your game plan to reduce absenteeism. It’s a well-thought-out action plan for nudging those frequent absentees in your team to show up more consistently and help keep your operations running smoothly while avoiding the dreaded no call no show. The plan should align with company policy and the expected attendance standards, ensuring that all actions are consistent, fair, and compliant with established rules.

It’s a proactive, structured approach to addressing frequent, unplanned absences. But it’s not just about having strict rules and consequences. A great plan also includes open communication, clear attendance expectations and guidelines in advance, and a better understanding of individual employees' needs. Disciplinary measures, such as an official written warning, may be included in the process for repeated violations to ensure transparency and accountability.

Why Do You Need an Employee Attendance Improvement Plan?

Attendance issues can feel like a small annoyance at first, a missed shift here, a late clock-in there, but over time, they add up to much bigger problems. Absenteeism also creates an additional burden for management and other employees, increasing workload and stress across the team. That’s where an employee attendance improvement plan comes in. It’s not just about tracking who’s late or absent; it’s about creating a framework that keeps your team running smoothly and ensures everyone is on the same page. It offers many benefits for both parties.

1. Minimize Productivity Loss

When employees don't show up, the work doesn't just magically disappear. Deadlines are pushed, projects are delayed, and productivity takes a hit. For industries like manufacturing or healthcare, even one absence can throw off the entire workflow. A structured plan helps you address attendance issues proactively, minimizing disruptions and keeping things moving.

2. Boost Team Morale

Let's face it, when one person doesn't pull their weight, it often falls on someone else to pick up the slack. Over time, this can lead to resentment, burnout, and a drop in team morale. An attendance improvement plan ensures accountability and fairness, so everyone feels like they're contributing equally to the team's success.

3. Prevent Financial Loss

Poor attendance doesn't just cost time; it costs money. Missed shifts, overtime pay to cover gaps, and delayed projects all chip away at your bottom line. Studies show that absenteeism costs U.S. businesses hundreds of billions annually in lost productivity. An attendance improvement plan helps you nip these costs in the bud by encouraging consistent attendance.

4. Encourage Accountability

One of the biggest benefits is that it sets clear expectations. Employees understand what's expected of them, and they're held accountable for meeting those standards. This doesn't just improve attendance; it fosters a sense of responsibility and commitment among your team.

5. Support Employee Growth

An attendance improvement plan isn’t just about penalties; it’s about support. By addressing attendance issues directly, you can identify the root causes, whether it’s personal challenges, workplace stress, or confusion about policies. This opens the door to honest conversations and gives you a chance to provide the tools or resources employees need to succeed. Giving employees specific support and resources, such as flexible scheduling, transportation assistance, wellness programs, or mentorship, is a key part of an effective improvement plan.

6. Promote a Culture of Fairness

Nothing frustrates a team more than feeling like some people get away with bad behavior. A consistent, transparent plan creates a level playing field for everyone, reinforcing a culture of fairness and mutual respect.

Understanding the impact of poor attendance

Poor attendance. Two words that can send shivers down a manager’s spine. It’s like that mysterious knock in your car’s engine; ignore it, and it’s likely to lead to bigger issues down the line. So, let’s take a closer look at why we should tackle poor attendance problems head-on.

First up, the not-so-fun fact: habitual or excessive employee absenteeism can put a serious dent in your business operations. Think about it. A team member doesn’t show up for work, and their tasks are left hanging. Deadlines are missed, clients are kept waiting, and projects get delayed. It’s like a domino effect, and the end result? A noticeable hit on your bottom line. Frequent call-offs or no call, no shows can slow down or stop a production line. Frequent absences also disrupt the work schedule and planned operations, making it harder to maintain consistency and meet organizational goals.

But it’s not just about missed work. Poor attendance can also shake up team dynamics. When a team member frequently doesn’t show up, others have to step in to pick up the slack. Over time, this can breed resentment, lower employee morale, and cause team productivity to take a nosedive.

And, let’s not forget the impact on the absentee themselves. Regularly missing work can lead to them feeling disconnected from the team, out of the loop on projects, and can stifle their career progression. Poor attendance can negatively affect an employee's performance, making it harder for them to meet expectations and advance in their role.

Understanding the potential fallout of poor attendance is crucial. It’s not about playing hardball, but recognizing that regular attendance plays a vital role in the health of your team, boosts employee morale, and business.

Collecting and Analyzing Attendance Data

Getting your attendance data straight is what separates plants that run smoothly from those that scramble every shift. Without good numbers, you're flying blind when someone calls off or just doesn't show. You need to track this stuff if you want to catch problems before they blow up your production schedule and leave you short-staffed when it matters, which is why following employee attendance tracking best practices is so important.

Pick a way to track attendance that actually works. The newer tracking tools make it easier to see who's calling off, showing up late, or just not showing up at all, especially when you use modern systems for tracking employee absences. You get the picture in real time instead of finding out when the shift's already started.

Now comes the real work, figuring out what the numbers mean. Look for the patterns. Is someone calling off every Monday? Are you getting hit with no-shows on certain shifts? Maybe someone's always late after lunch break, or there's a pattern that tells you someone's dealing with health issues or family problems. When you spot these attendance data trends and quantify them with an absence rate percentage calculator, you can actually do something about them instead of just reacting to each crisis as it happens.

Your attendance numbers tell you more than just who showed up. Check them against how well your lines are running, whether you're hitting deadlines, and if your team's getting worn down from covering for missing people. When someone's attendance is all over the place, it usually shows up in their work quality and definitely affects everyone else who has to pick up the slack. Connect these dots, and you can fix both the attendance problem and the performance issues.

Set targets that make sense, and people can actually hit. Use your numbers to figure out realistic goals like cutting unexcused call-offs in half or getting someone to three weeks straight without being late, and consider using an attendance point tracking system to keep the rules clear. Check in regularly, give credit where it's due, and keep track of everything. Good records help when things are going well, and you'll need them if you have to write someone up or take it further.

4 Things to Make Sure You Include In The Improvement Plan Document

When writing your document or creating your own template, it is important to include basic information below; we’ve outlined four key components of a standard employee’s performance and improvement plan below. Be sure to include the employee's performance as a key component of the improvement plan document, identifying and outlining performance-related aspects to develop effective strategies.

  1. Documented Instances: Keep track of the dates and times your employee didn’t adhere to the company attendance policy. Use clear data to monitor progress and ensure accountability. Attendance write-ups should be based on indisputable facts and should not include subjective opinions. Concrete examples always help.
  2. Impact Analysis: Illustrate how frequent tardiness or absences have affected the team and business operations. The goal isn’t to blame, but to show the ripple effect of their actions.
  3. Clear Expectations: Establish a clear understanding of shift hours. When exactly should they clock in each day?
  4. Outlined Consequences: Explicitly state the repercussions for frequent absenteeism and tardiness. What could potentially happen if things don’t change?

These elements are just a starting point. Depending on your specific needs, you might want to add more details. But remember, the goal of your employee attendance improvement plan is to craft a framework that resonates with your company’s unique culture and operational needs.

How to Create an Employee Attendance Improvement Plan

Taking the plunge into creating an employee attendance improvement plan might seem intimidating. But it’s a manageable process. We've broken it down into actionable steps to help you build a robust plan.

Remember, introducing documented attendance policies during onboarding and reinforcing them regularly with employees is essential for long-term success.

Go Over Your Attendance Policy

Let's be clear, every company should have an attendance policy. You need one so that employees (and managers) can be held accountable. That's why it's worth taking some time to sit down and think through exactly what is in your attendance policy.

Ideally, you've already got an attendance policy in place and just need to talk it through with your employee again. Make sure they're aware of the policy and answer any questions they might have about it.

Set Expectations

Right from the start, you want to make sure your expectations for the employee are clear. The employee has an absenteeism issue, and you need them to make a change to stay employed at your company. And if these changes aren't seen and expectations aren't met, clearly express what the consequences would be, just as you would when using broader strategies to reduce absenteeism in the workplace.

Be Clear

Truth be told, this whole thing might feel like an awkward conversation to have. And that's normal. But you're going to have to lean into that uncomfortable feeling and communicate clearly here. Getting feedback from managers can make a difference in an employee's level of engagement. Gallup found that employees who get meaningful feedback are four times more likely to be engaged.

Try to be as specific and detailed as you can. Remember, you want to help your employees make positive changes to improve their attendance records, which requires being a straight talker.

This is where having a solid employee attendance improvement plan template will come in handy. Having something jotted down in black and white (on paper or as a PDF) will ensure that everything is documented clearly.

Be Consistent

No matter what steps you decide to take in the employee attendance improvement plan, be consistent. Do what you say you're going to do. If you don't follow through, it can open a real can of worms here, especially if you dish out consequences to one employee but let another slide. Make sure you're being consistent across your team and treating everyone the same.

Be Sincere

It's important to keep open lines of communication with your team members even when you have to correct their actions. Don't forget to genuinely express your desire that they change their absent habits and perform a complete 180-degree change. You're rooting for them! Be sure they know that you want things to change and believe they can.

Show the employee that you want to aid them in fixing their absence issues. You can even offer to help them with finding the resources, employee assistance programs, they may need to make the change (like secure transportation or health care options).

Remind Them How To Report an Absence

We live in a world where employees get sick, take vacation, and miss work that's okay. But remind your employees that they need to communicate with you when they need to take time off or take sick leave or have an unplanned absence. Give them a refresher on the process and who they need to notify.

It's no secret that absence management can be tricky. If your attendance management process needs an upgrade, learn how our call-off solution through text can make your life a whole lot easier. Understanding the difference between call-off hotlines and text-based solutions and why the old "call a manager" approach is a weak link can help you redesign the process. And remember, it's in your interest to make it easier to call-off. When you help employees avoid the hold time, inconvenience, or discomfort of talking to their manager, they're more likely to follow the process, which reduces no call, no shows

Follow Up

Be sure to set time aside to revisit the attendance improvement plan with your employee. Schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress, discuss metrics, and ensure everyone remains aligned with the targeted improvements. Be specific and set markers to revisit the situation. For example, maybe you want to regroup and talk again in 30 days, maybe just once a quarter. Whatever time you decide on, make sure you and your employee are on the same page.

Track Progress

Everyone wants to know they’ve made progress. Make sure you’ve set up a tracking system so your employee can see where they’ve knocked it out of the park and where they still need improvement. Monitoring and encouraging the employee's progress is a key part of an effective attendance improvement plan, as it helps boost morale and fosters a culture of accountability.

When you meet up to address the attendance improvement plan again, make sure you have these tangible markers to discuss the awesome growth or lack of progress you’ve seen. If you’re not seeing the expected results, you may consider an automated call-out line.

Example employee attendance improvement plan

To make this easier to picture, we’ve included a filled-out example below. The employee details, job information, dates, and attendance issues are not real and are only there to show how a completed form could look. Below that, you’ll find a template version you can copy and paste, then adjust to fit your workplace and policy.

This example is for educational purposes only and should be reviewed against your company’s attendance policy, applicable laws, and HR practices before use.

Employee name: Jordan Ramirez

Job title: CNC Machine Operator

Department: Production

Supervisor: Melissa Carter

Date issued: March 12, 2026

Review period: 30 days

Plan end date: April 11, 2026

Reason for the plan

Jordan has had ongoing attendance issues over the past 60 days, including repeated tardiness and multiple unscheduled absences. These attendance problems have affected shift coverage and created extra strain on the production team.

Attendance concerns identified

During the review period, the following issues were documented:

Jordan has previously been reminded of the company’s attendance expectations, but the pattern has continued.

Expected improvement

Effective immediately, Jordan is expected to:

Action steps for the employee

To improve attendance during this plan period, Jordan will:

Support provided by the company

To support improvement, the company will:

Measurement period

Jordan’s attendance will be reviewed over the next 30 days. Successful improvement means:

Consequences if improvement does not occur

Failure to show immediate and sustained improvement may result in further corrective action, up to and including termination of employment.

Employee comments

I understand the attendance concerns that have been reviewed with me. I understand what is expected during this improvement period and what may happen if improvement does not occur.

Signatures

Employee signature: ________________

Date: ________________

Supervisor signature: ________________

Date: ________________

HR representative signature: ________________

Date: ________________

Employee Attendance Improvement Plan Template

If you need a place to start, the template below gives you a basic structure for documenting attendance issues and outlining expectations for improvement. Copy it, customize it, and adjust the details to fit your workplace policies and the specific situation.

Employee name: [Employee Name]

Job title: [Job Title]

Department: [Department]

Supervisor: [Supervisor Name]

Date issued: [Date]

Review period: [30/60/90 days]

Plan end date: [Date]

Reason for the plan

This attendance improvement plan is being issued because of ongoing attendance concerns, including [unscheduled absences / tardiness / early departures / missed shifts without proper notice]. These issues have affected [shift coverage / scheduling / team operations / productivity] and need immediate improvement.

Attendance concerns identified

During the review period, the following attendance issues were documented:

The employee has previously been informed of attendance expectations, but improvement is still needed.

Expected improvement

Effective immediately, the employee is expected to:

Action steps for the employee

To improve attendance during this plan period, the employee must:

Support provided by the company

To support improvement, the company will:

Measurement period

The employee’s attendance will be reviewed over the next [30/60/90 days]. Improvement will be measured based on the following:

Consequences if improvement does not occur

Failure to show immediate and sustained improvement may result in further corrective action, up to and including termination of employment, consistent with company policy.

Employee comments

[Optional space for employee comments.]

Signatures

Employee signature: ________________

Date: ________________

Supervisor signature: ________________

Date: ________________

HR representative signature: ________________

Date: ________________