Target is tightening enforcement of its attendance policy.
Starting in September, the bullseye retailer plans to begin tracking unexcused lateness and absences with a new point-based system for store and warehouse workers companywide, a spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider. The company is also switching to a unified scheduling app for employees and managers.
Going forward, workers will incur a quarter of a point for arriving more than eight minutes late, one point for missing a shift without approval, and three points for missing a shift without notifying a manager.
Discipline progresses from a check-in with a manager at three points to counseling at five points, to a final warning at nine points, and then to termination at 12. Points expire after 365 days.
The spokesperson said the new system does not change Target’s commitment to comply with protected absence, leave, or accommodation laws.
Several other major retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, have similar point systems for employee attendance.
This latest move comes as Target’s new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, is pushing to improve store operations and customer experiences.
“Target is focused on returning to growth, and elevating our guest experience is a key strategic priority,” the spokesperson said. “We’ll continue to focus on enabling our team to deliver the delightful experience that guests depend on every day.”
Other recent initiatives include a revised dress code and a 10-4 rule that asks workers to smile at shoppers within 10 feet and say hello to those within four feet.
The early results have been positive for Target, with increased visits fueling comparable sales growth of 5.6% last quarter.
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