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For many small businesses, flexibility is a key advantage. You might allow informal working hours, remote work, or verbal time-off requests. But as your team grows—or even if it’s still small—unclear expectations around attendance and leave can create confusion, inconsistency, and even resentment.
That’s why a clear Attendance and Leave Policy is essential, even in the most agile workplace.
An Attendance and Leave Policy outlines your expectations for when and how employees show up to work, and how they take time off. It includes work hours, lateness, absences, vacation, sick days, and any other type of leave your business offers.
It might sound basic, but having this in writing helps everyone stay on the same page—and keeps your business running smoothly.
You might think, “We’re just a small team—we don’t need rigid policies.” But small businesses are often more vulnerable when one person is out unexpectedly or frequently late.
Here’s how this policy helps:
Here’s what every good policy should cover:
Define the standard work hours for your team. For example:
Also clarify expectations for remote or hybrid roles, if applicable.
Lay out expectations for arriving on time and what happens in cases of lateness or absence:
This ensures accountability without micromanaging.
Specify how many vacation days employees are entitled to per year and how these days are earned or accrued. Cover:
In Kenya, for instance, the Employment Act mandates at least 21 working days of annual leave for employees who have worked for 12 consecutive months.
Provide clear guidelines on:
Sick leave protects employees’ health and prevents burnout—but it also helps your business manage absences fairly.
List recognized public holidays your business observes, including national and regional holidays relevant to your location.
If your business must operate during public holidays include your policy on:
Consider including other relevant leave types, such as:
Not all small businesses offer every type of leave—but if you do, spell it out clearly.
An Attendance and Leave Policy isn’t just a formality—it’s a tool that helps small businesses thrive. It supports fairness, reduces stress, and ensures your team knows what’s expected of them.
Don’t wait until there’s a problem to create structure. Putting the right policy in place today can save you time, confusion, and lost productivity tomorrow.
Need help drafting your own Attendance and Leave Policy?
Consult Afrika connects small businesses with experienced HR consultants who can craft policies tailored to your team, your culture, and your local labor laws. Contact us to learn how to use our platform.
