Target’s new – Target will roll out a point-based attendance tracking system for store and warehouse workers starting in September, with points tied to lateness and unapproved missed shifts. The policy escalates discipline from manager check-ins to termination at 12 points,
Starting in September, Target plans to tighten enforcement of its attendance policy by tracking unexcused lateness and absences through a new point-based system for store and warehouse workers across the company.
The move is designed to quantify the way missed shifts and tardiness are handled—and to make the consequences clearer. Workers will receive a quarter of a point for arriving more than eight minutes late. They will incur one point for missing a shift without approval. and three points for missing a shift without notifying a manager.
As points accumulate, discipline follows a defined path. At three points, workers face a check-in with a manager. At five points, that escalates to counseling. At nine points, workers receive a final warning, and at 12 points the company can move to termination.
Target says points expire after 365 days.
The company also plans a separate operational change: it will switch to a unified scheduling app for employees and managers. The spokesperson confirmed that the attendance system and the scheduling shift are part of a broader effort to improve store operations and the customer experience.
Target’s spokesperson stressed that the new system does not change the company’s commitment to comply with protected absence, leave, or accommodation laws.
The retailer is not alone. Several other major employers, including Walmart and Amazon, use similar point systems for employee attendance.
This latest update arrives as Target’s new CEO. Michael Fiddelke. pushes the company toward better execution on operations and customer experience. “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.”.
Target’s staffing and frontline changes have not been limited to attendance. The company has also introduced 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.
For Target, the new attendance framework is rolling out at a time when early results from recent changes appear to be translating into sales momentum. Target reported increased visits that fueled comparable sales growth of 5.6% last quarter.
The company’s approach now places measurement at the center of day-to-day scheduling life. With the September start date set and a clear escalation ladder tied to points. employees will soon see exactly how unexcused absences and lateness can accumulate—and how quickly it can reach the point where termination is on the table.
Target attendance policy point-based system store and warehouse workers scheduling app Michael Fiddelke Walmart Amazon employee discipline comparable sales growth
So they’re gonna fire people over being 9 minutes late? That seems wild.
Points for attendance is how you know companies hate humans. Like what about if the manager isn’t answering or the schedule app is down… then you’re just screwed.
Wait but it says it expires after 365 days right? So technically you could rack up 11 points all year and then quit before it hits 12, right? Or am I misunderstanding like always 😑
Walmart and Amazon do it too so Target isn’t special. Honestly the real issue is they’re pushing new scheduling software and people are gonna get blamed for being “late” because the app didn’t sync or something. If you miss a shift without notifying a manager, that sounds like they want you to call out like immediately, which is not always possible.