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Managing people / Performance review phrases for attendance and punctuality: 24 examples by rating and situation (2026)

Performance review phrases for attendance and punctuality: 24 examples by rating and situation (2026)

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Free. Not legal or HR advice.

Short answer

Performance review phrases for attendance and punctuality should say what you saw and when, never why. The phrases below describe time-keeping at three levels, matched to the rating.

Last checked: . Written and tested by Pro Skill Packs: how we test.

24 phrases you can copy

Twenty-four phrases for attendance and punctuality: 12 by rating, and 12 more by situation. Describe what you saw and the dates, not the reason. For any absence linked to health or caring duties, speak to HR first.

Jump to: By ratingShifts and start timesMeetings and deadlinesTime off and notice

Exceeds what the role needs

  • Arrives on time and prepared for meetings: for example, [MEETING].
  • Start times and shift patterns have been consistent across [PERIOD]: for example, [WHAT THIS ALLOWED THE TEAM TO DO].
  • Keeps commitments, including the small ones: for example, [COMMITMENT].
  • Meets deadlines every time and tells me early when one is at risk: for example, [PROJECT].

Meets what the role needs

  • Usually arrives on time for shifts and meetings. When plans change they tell me beforehand: for example, [OCCASION].
  • Gives notice when plans change: for example, [THE CHANGE].
  • Does what they say they will do: for example, [COMMITMENT].
  • Replies to requests within the agreed time: for example, [THE AGREED TIME].

Below what the role needs

  • Arrived late to [MEETINGS OR SHIFTS] on [NUMBER] occasions in [PERIOD]. I would like to understand what would make this easier: for example, [THE DATES].
  • Plans change often, which makes it hard for the team to depend on the schedule: for example, [WHAT CHANGED].
  • Problems with deadlines were raised late, so there was little time to help: for example, [THE CASE].
  • Missed [NUMBER] deadlines in [PERIOD]: for example, [TASK AND DATE].

More examples, by situation

Shifts and start times

  • ExceedsOffers to swap shifts when the team is short and gives notice early: for example, [OCCASION].
  • MeetsArrives for scheduled shifts and tells the team when a start time must change: for example, [OCCASION].
  • BelowStarted after the agreed time on [NUMBER] occasions in [PERIOD]: for example, [DATES]. Let us agree what would help.
  • BelowLast-minute changes to shifts left the team to cover: for example, [DATES]. I would like changes raised at least [AGREED NOTICE] ahead.

Meetings and deadlines

  • ExceedsJoins every meeting on time and ready to start: for example, [REGULAR MEETING].
  • MeetsArrives on time to most meetings and sends apologies when they cannot attend: for example, [MEETING].
  • BelowJoined [NUMBER] of [NUMBER] team meetings late in [PERIOD], so the start was delayed: for example, [MEETING].
  • BelowDid not attend [MEETING] on [DATE] and the team did not know in advance.

Time off and notice

  • ExceedsPlans leave well ahead and arranges cover before going: for example, [LEAVE PERIOD AND THE COVER].
  • MeetsFollows the process for requesting time off and sends handover notes: for example, [LEAVE PERIOD].
  • BelowOn [NUMBER] occasions the team learned of an absence after the start of the day: for example, [DATES]. I would like to agree how and when to tell us.
  • BelowHandover notes were not left before time off, so the team had to chase: for example, [WHAT WAS MISSING]. I would like notes left before any planned leave.

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How to use these

  1. Pick the phrase that matches what you saw.
  2. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact: a date, a number or the name of the piece of work.
  3. If you cannot think of an example, leave the phrase out.
  4. Read the finished review once as the person who will receive it.

What to avoid

  • Do not write the reason for any absence, and do not guess at one. Illness, a disability or a family matter may be protected. Ask HR before you mention absence at all.
  • Count what you saw: "Arrived late to [MEETINGS OR SHIFTS] on [NUMBER] occasions in [PERIOD]." Check the records, not your memory.
  • Ask what would make it easier before you write anything down. The answer may change the review.

The law in many places protects people from unfair treatment linked to things like age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Do not mention these in a review, and do not guess at them.

Official pages. Not legal or HR advice. If a formal step, a warning, a pay dispute or a complaint is involved, stop and speak to HR first.

UK readers: the free Acas helpline is on its contact page. US readers: see the EEOC page and your employer's HR team.

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What the full kit adds

This page shows 12 of them. The kit has the rest, and the files you fill in.

The start page of the kit: Performance review phrases
$9, one price

Performance review phrases: what to write for every rating

297 plain phrases for a review, at three levels, with five outlines to fill in and wording for the hard parts. Each phrase has a gap for a real example.

What is in it

  • All 297 phrases: 9 areas at 3 levels each (this page shows 12 of them)
  • 5 review outlines in Word (strong, steady, struggling, new starter, self-review) and 3 finished examples
  • Wording for the hard parts: a rating lower than expected, no pay rise, an early talk about expectations
  • Words to avoid, with what to write instead, and a 16-point checklist before sending

$9, one price, no subscription. 30-day refund. Works with no AI.

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How do I write about attendance in a performance review?

Write what you saw: the dates, the number of times, and what it caused. Do not guess the reason. If the person tells you it is about health, family or caring, stop and speak to HR before you write anything.

Can I mention sickness absence in a review?

Rules differ by country and by company, and it can be sensitive. Ask HR before you mention it. Stick to dates and work effects, and follow your company policy.

Should I put the reason for lateness in the review?

Record what happened and let the person say why. Do not guess at the reason. If it may be health related, speak to HR first.

Questions people ask

Can I mention sick days in a review?

Ask HR first. Many places treat absence for illness or disability differently from lateness. These phrases cover time-keeping only.

How do I write about lateness fairly?

State the number of times and the period, then say you would like to understand what would make it easier.

What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?

Replace each one with a real fact: a date, a number or the name of the piece of work. If you cannot think of an example, leave the phrase out.

How many phrases are in the full kit?

297, in nine areas at three levels each. This page shows only a few of them.

Is this legal or HR advice?

No. It is general wording. If a formal step, a warning, a pay dispute or a complaint is involved, stop and speak to HR first. In the UK, Acas explains the steps.

More

General wording, not legal or HR advice. For anything formal, speak to HR. In the UK, Acas explains the steps. Official pages read 5 October 2026.

Sources