Excessive and unexpected absences reduce everyone’s productivity, and affect supervisors’ and managers’ ability to plan work. In this pamphlet, expert Marilyn Mattingly gives specific guidance and reviews actions that agency officials can take for sporadic or excessive absenteeism.

Each chapter focuses on one area, from the simplest AWOL cases to stressful situations involving medical issues and reasonable accommodation. You get practical advice on all the issues involved, citing case examples so you understand the reasoning behind it.

Whether an employee’s absence lasts 6 months, 17 months or 3 years, you learn how to handle specific problems, such as:

• When to take action on AWOL cases
• How to determine time limits on actions for excessive use of leave without pay and inability to maintain a regular work schedule
• How to meet the "observed deficiencies" test when removing an employee for inability to perform
• How to determine whether the absence of an employee with a disability creates an "undue hardship"
• When can you refuse to grant leave without pay
• And more!

Plus, you learn 10 things every federal agency should know about FMLA case law.