Abandonment of employment occurs where an employee, without notification to the employer and without acceptable reason, absents himself/herself continuously from the place of employment.
Usually an employment agreement specifies that an un-notified absence of two or three days is grounds for deciding that the employee has abandoned his/her employment.
Even then great care must be taken in making such a decision. Reasonable efforts should be made by the employer to contact the employee. It is helpful to be able to demonstrate evidence of this. Should the employee re-appear a few days later with a genuine excuse (such as having been in hospital in a coma without the knowledge of next of kin) it would be wise to reinstate the employee.
Abandonment does not involve termination by the employer. It means that by his/her absence the employee is regarded as having given up his/her employment. For example, he/she is deemed to have resigned.
Use the Abandonment letter.
Note: Ensure you advise Payroll.
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