CSX revamps employee attendance policy

CSX will implement a revised attendance policy for all craft employees effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The revised policy is being implemented in response to concerns raised by craft employees and labor unions, CSX spokeswoman Sheriee Bowman in an email.

The new company-wide policy will replace all prior craft-specific attendance policies. It was developed in discussions with labor representatives and "provides improvements favorable to employees" in most areas, Bowman said.

"Most notably, in contrast to prior policies, points that accrue for accountable absences will expire on a rolling 12-month cycle rather than continue to accumulate indefinitely," she said. "All craft employees will now earn five points of good attendance credits for each calendar year quarter worked without an absence."

Points will not be assessed for documented hospital stays, emergency care or scheduled medical appointments. The new policy will be nondisciplinary and non-punitive, and employees will no longer be subjected to "formal investigations, hearings or disciplinary suspensions," Bowman said.

"Instead, employees who exceed certain point thresholds will receive timely notifications and encouragement to correct their attendance records," Bowman added. "Leadership will also be empowered to exercise discretion in the handling of those with special needs and consider alternative approaches in appropriate circumstances."

CSX's new policy was announced following rail workers' objections to a lack of paid sick days during the unions’ contract negotiations with the nation's major freight railroads. On Dec. 2, President Joe Biden signed legislation that implemented a new contract between the unions and freight railroads that did not include additional paid time off for sickness.

Shareholders at two other Class Is — Norfolk Southern Corp. and Union Pacific Corp. — have filed proposals asking the companies to adopt an employer-paid sick-leave policy as a standard benefit.