This article covers how absence data flows through the Attendance solution, how to enable the required parameters, and how to configure your system for accurate absence recording and reporting.
How absence processing works in the Attendance solution
Absence data flows differently in the Attendance solution compared to standard PeopleXD. Understanding this difference is important before configuring your settings.
Standard PeopleXD: Absences are entered in the Absence Details screen and flow downstream to Timesheets.
Attendance solution: Absence data is loaded into Timesheets via the Attendance file and is automatically passed upstream to Absence Details.
Absence Linkage groups consecutive absence records into a single absence instance, preventing a separate record being created for each individual day.
For example, if an employee is sick on 10, 11, 12, and 15 August (with rest days on 9, 13, and 14 August), the system records this as a single absence from 10–15 August (4 sickness days).
📌Note: Only basic absence information is automatically created (Start Date, End Date, Pay Code). Additional information such as Reason Codes must be entered manually.
Enable the Absence Linkage parameters
To enable Absence Linkage, you need to turn on a set of parameters in the WFM Admin Dashboard.
Navigate to WFM Admin Dashboard > WFM Configuration > Company > Advanced Options.
Enable all of the following parameters:
CALCULATION - RAIL PLAN - DELETE ZERO HOUR MISSED CLOCK PAY CODES
RECALCULATE ABSENCE DAYS ALWAYS
RECALCULATE ZERO ABSENCE DAYS
RECALCULATE ALL ABSENCES AFTER WEEK START DATE
RECALCULATE ALL ABSENCES AFTER WEEK START DATE MINUS 7
RECALCULATE ABSENCE DAYS
Configure Absence Parameters for Attendance
You will need to update both the Absence Parameters and Late Parameters sections to ensure the Attendance solution processes absences correctly.
Absence Parameters
Navigate to WFM Admin Dashboard > WFM Configuration > Company > Company and Calendar Config > Absence Parameters.
Delete the Pay Code specified in the Early Out Pay Code field.
Late Parameters
Navigate to WFM Admin Dashboard > WFM Configuration > Company > Company and Calendar Config > Late Parameters.
If you are using a separate Pay Code for Attendance, update the Late Pay Code field accordingly.
Configure Unrostered Booking (Contract Hours)
To ensure the system calculates hours based on an employee's rostered hours for the day — rather than defaulting to the standard pattern — you need to enable the Contract Hours settings.
Navigate to WFM Admin Dashboard > WFM Configuration > Company > Company and Calendar Config > Contract Hours.
Enable the following settings:
Setting | Parameter |
Allow Functionality |
|
Enable Functionality |
|
All Days |
|
Handle absences recorded over seven days
Absences such as Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave, and Paternity Leave must be recorded across seven days for accurate statutory payments in Payroll. However, this may cause part-time employees to appear to exceed their contracted hours.
To handle this correctly, follow the recommended approach below.
Create an Additional Rest Day Pay Code (for example, "Maternity Leave Rest Day").
Within the original Maternity Leave Pay Code settings, assign this code for use on rest days.
If HR records include an employee type field (for example, Crewplan vs Non-Crewplan), configure rest day rules at this level.
⚠️Important: Within the Advanced Settings of the Rest Day Pay Code, leave all Advanced Part-Time settings blank to prevent unintended calculation impacts.
How the DEFDAY pattern affects absence reporting
The DEFDAY pattern is configured with 8.00 default hours. If an employee is scheduled to work more or fewer than 8 hours per day, absence or attendance values may be converted inaccurately — resulting in reported day totals that are higher or lower than the employee's actual working day.
This may impact the accuracy of day-based reporting and analysis. Review any reports that use day-based calculations to ensure values are correct for your workforce.