Creating strategies to deal with absenteeism among members

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Abstract

Although most members are usually conscientious, truancy and lateness can cause a loss of morale for an entire program. This effective practice offers strategies for dealing with absenteeism and lateness, and was developed from a discussion that took place on the AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list (ACList), in May 2003.

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Issue

Absences and lateness among AmeriCorps members can pose a problem for clients and other members. In the words of one program director, "Nothing debilitates morale worse than members shirking their service commitment. It affects everyone...partners, other members, and staff."

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Action

According to program directors who shared their ideas on the AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list, when dealing with absenteeism and tardiness:

  • Outline and hold to clear expectations that should take the form of written policy. Figure out what works best for individual programs. AmeriCorps tends to attract individuals with a pretty good work/service ethic, so the tendency is sometimes to be lenient, but this doesn't help members in the long run.
  • Provide a central office number that members have to call, in addition to calling the school/teacher, when they can't come to work. During training, reinforce that members must call the school and this number. Have members keep an ongoing Excel file that the supervisors (who cover more than one school) can access by e-mail at any time to check on whereabouts if necessary. Usually we only have one or two members who don't follow the policy, out of more than 50 members.
    [Above ideas shared by Mary Ellen Isaacs, Program Director, AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education, Austin, TX, meisaacs@mail.utexas.edu]
  • At Project ACCEPT, we "built" in seven days for the members to use as they need. We also enforced a policy stating members had to call in themselves for absences; calls from family members would not be accepted and would be considered a no call/no-show. Members who fail to follow this policy, i.e., no call/no-show once without compelling circumstances are subject to (1) written counseling and plan of improvement, (2) termination from service. Since we have built in the seven days, our attendance records have significantly improved.
    [Above ideas shared by Anne Marie Mann, Program Director, Project ACCEPT, Anne.Marie.Mann@hattielarlham.org]
  • The member contract needs to be very specific regarding absences and tardiness. For instance, it was written in the member contract that with the first unexcused absence/tardy a written warning was given, the second absence/tardy warranted a three day suspension, and the repercussion for a third absence/tardy was a seven day suspension or grounds for dismissal. It was also clearly stated that no benefits were available during the suspensions. Next year we plan to be even more explicit in our language when writing the contract.
    [Above ideas shared by Jennifer Walker, Program Director Missouri Girls Town, WLJ1275@aol.com]

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Context

The sample member contract in the 2003 AmeriCorps Program Directors Handbook (p.81) states that unauthorized tardiness and unauthorized absences "constitute a violation of the program's rules of conduct."

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Outcome

  • When members respect all aspects of their commitment, they are able to affect greater change in the communities where they serve.
  • Enforcing accountability helps members become more responsible.

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Posted On

December 17, 2003

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For More Information

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Resources

The AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list is a forum for AmeriCorps programs, state commissions, T/TA providers, staff of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and anyone else interested in AmeriCorps. Discussion focuses on training, technical assistance, and programmatic issues. Those without web access can subscribe to the AmeriCorps listserv by sending an e-mail message to join-aclist@lists.etr.org.

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AmeriCorps

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