Glossary

Abandonment of Employment

When an employee is absent from work for several days without explanation. This often means the employee has abandoned the job and does not intend on coming back, or they have simply disappeared and the employer does not know where they are.

Employers must make an effort to contact the employee and their family members. This means making phones calls to different people, sending emails and leaving messages. Once all avenues have been exhausted, a letter notifying the employee of their potential dismissal should be sent.

If the employee had a good reason for being absent (e.g. medically unwell), an employer cannot dismiss the employee on the grounds of abandonment.