Attendance Policies




Phonathon Attendance Policy

The success of the Phonathon Program relies greatly on the attendance of our student employees. There are a limited number of calling stations available. We schedule to fill all of these spaces to maximize our ability to reach prospects. Student employees, who are either absent or late, create a situation in which not all of our calling stations are being utilized to their full potential. The end result is quite simple. Not as many pledges are received. Not as much money is brought in to help Duke University. Not as many alumni and parents are reached. Therefore, it is necessary for the Phonathon Program to have a well-defined and enforced attendance policy. As Duke students, we know you are the cream of the crop and are thankful to have an employee pool with such ability. We do, however, expect you to act responsibly as employees. We feel that the attendance policy not only benefits the Phonathon Program, but will also help you gain a sense of responsibility in the workplace, which will benefit you in your future careers.

Excused Absence: All callers have plenty of time to review the schedule and adjust it well in advance. The schedule will be posted in the calling room, on the webpage, and on email. Callers are responsible for informing the Program Director that they will be absent at least two (2) days in advance. This will be an excused absence. Emergencies (*) do occur. Those will be dealt with by the Program Director on a case by case basis.

Leaving Early: Callers are expected to stay for the full calling session. It is not acceptable to leave early. You should be aware of your own academic and social obligations in advance. Do not schedule yourself to work if you are going to have to leave early.

Unexcused Absence: An absence in which the caller does not notify the Program Director at least two (2) days in advance.

Tardy: All callers are expected to be punctual arriving at work and returning to the calling room after break. Occasionally, a bus may be late or a meeting with a professor might run a little long. In these cases, callers who have good attendance statistics will be given the benefit of the doubt. There is no reason an employee should be more then fifteen (15) minutes late. Remember, you are expected to be responsible.

*Emergency: The Program Director determines what is and is not an emergency on a case by case basis. An emergency includes such things as health problems and serious personal problems. An emergency is not a mid-term which the caller was aware of three months in advance. The Program Director deals with a large number of student employees and has dealt many different student problems. Good communication in these situations is the best thing. In cases of illness, the Director can request a doctor's note.

Attendance Guidelines

1. Callers are expected to work two full calling sessions each week. Callers may work additional sessions each week provided that space is available.

2. If you are unable to work one of your scheduled days, you must notify the Program Director two (2) days in advance. This constitutes an excused absence. Failure to do so results in an UNEXCUSED absence.

3. Two (2) excused absences constitutes an unexcused absence. A caller should make every attempt to make up an excused absence. Rescheduling an excused absence will erase it from your attendance record.

4. Any combination of three (3) tardies or three (3) times leaving early (2 tardy, 1 leave early) constitutes an unexcused absence.

5. Two (2) unexcused absences will result in a warning by the Program Director. Three (3) unexcused absences results in TERMINATION of employment.

6. In some situations, unexcused absences will be allowed to be worked off. Much of this depends on the overall attendance record of the employee. Employees who wish to work off unexcused absences should contact the Program Director.

7. The Program Director will keep track of attendance issues, however, it is the employees responsibility to keep track of their personal attendance records. Questions about attendance records should be addressed to the Director.

This attendance policy sets forth guidelines for how attendance issues are dealt with. The attendance policy allows for a certain number of different types of absences and creates a set of consequences for the employee. The leeway that is provided is not there to encourage employees to be late, leave early, or simply not show up because they have a spare absence. Employees should remember that in the future they may ask the Annual Fund for a recommendation, or a that a potential employer may call the Annual Fund asking for a referral. A reliable, responsible personality is greatly valued by potential employers and graduate schools. Good attendance is a GREAT way to exhibit those traits.