Punctuality and Early Departures

Employees are expected to report to School placements at the time scheduled and booked via the Zen platform, be on time and be prepared to start work, and remain at work for their entire work schedule (except for meal or break periods). Unapproved late arrivals, early departures or other absences from scheduled hours are disruptive and must be avoided.

Employees who need to leave early must notify their School Administrator plus their Account Manager or the Zen Support Team at 213-516-6054 as soon as they learn that they will not be able to complete their scheduled shift. Zen may inquire about the general reason for any tardiness or early departure.

Job Abandonment

Employees who fail to report for work or who depart their shift early, without having following the prescribed process described above, will be considered to have abandoned and voluntarily terminated their employment, absent extraordinary circumstances.

Disciplinary Action

Each situation of absenteeism, tardiness or early departure will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Even one unexcused absence or tardiness may be considered excessive, depending upon the circumstances, and could result in disciplinary action including an early end to a specific job; reduced access to future jobs; or termination. (Note Zen will not subject employees to disciplinary action or retaliation for an absence, tardiness or early departure for which discipline may not be imposed under applicable law).

In addition, patterns of absenteeism, tardiness or early departure will impact performance assessments and an employee's access to jobs; and may result in disciplinary action including termination. If you have anything less than 90% attendance rate; or if you are regularly absent, tardy, or depart early from a job (with the exception of cases that were excused or approved in advance); this could result in disciplinary action

The following are examples of types of time off that will not be considered grounds for disciplinary action under this policy:

• Time off that was previously approved by your Account Manager;
• Paid sick leave or unpaid leaves as described in the  Sick Leave and Time Off section
• Time off due to a work-related injury that is covered by workers’ compensation

If the employee believes that an absence, tardiness or early departure is (or should be) excused pursuant to applicable law, the employee should notify their Account Manager or the Zen Support Team at 213-516-6054 as soon as possible, but no later than at the time of the absence, tardiness or early departure.

If an educator believes they have mistakenly been subject to disciplinary action for an absence, tardiness or early departure that the employee believes is or should be excused/approved, the educator should promptly notify their Account Manager or the Zen Support Team at 213-516-6054. Zen will investigate the situation and any errors will be corrected.