Lawsuit stemming from BCE attendance firings shows that attendance issues in a hybrid or remote work environment aren’t straightforward

Attendance has become one of the most closely watched workplace issues in the post-pandemic era. As more employers require employees to return to the office, disputes are emerging over badge data, hybrid work expectations, absences, remote work practices, and discipline for alleged non-compliance.

In June of this year, nearly 50 former BCE (Bell) employees filed a wrongful dismissal claim after being terminated for alleged “swipe and go” conduct. According to the report, the employees were accused of entering the workplace with their access cards to satisfy attendance requirements and then leaving shortly afterward. The employees allege that the terminations were improper and connected to a broader workforce reduction strategy. The allegations have not yet been tested in court.

The story highlights a larger issue for workplaces: attendance problems are rarely just about whether someone was physically present. They can involve workplace policies, disability accommodation, discipline, termination for cause, remote work arrangements, and whether an employer has clearly enforced its expectations.

Attendance policies need clear expectations

Attendance issues often begin with a basic question: What did the employer actually require? In a traditional workplace, attendance expectations may be straightforward. Employees may be expected to report to...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxNU3NMUHpzY1kwWlJjUDVkWnhk...