Whether you’re a new hire at Walmart or a seasoned associate, understanding Walmart’s attendance policy is essential — not just for job security but also for career advancement and peace of mind. In 2026, Walmart continues to use a points-based attendance system that tracks absences, tardiness, and early departures to encourage reliability while still offering flexibility for life’s unexpected moments.
What Is the Walmart Attendance Point System?
Walmart uses a points-based attendance system to monitor employee reliability. Points are added to your record when you:
- Miss a scheduled shift without prior notice
- Arrive late beyond a certain grace period
- Leave early without approval
- Fail to report your absence in time
Each infraction earns a specific number of points, and once you hit a certain total within a rolling timeframe, you become subject to serious disciplinary actions — up to and including termination of employment.
How Many Points Do You Get for Different Infractions?
Here’s a breakdown of typical point values (exact details can vary slightly by store or region):
| Infraction | Points Added |
|---|---|
| Full absence (no call, no show) | 2 points |
| Unexcused absence or “no call” | 1 point |
| Late arrival or early leave | 0.5 point |
| Absence on a key event date | often 2 points |
| No call/no show + absence | up to 3 points in some reports |
💡 Key event dates — like holiday rushes or Super Bowl weekend — may carry higher point penalties because staffing is especially important on those days.
How Many Points Before You Get Fired at Walmart in 2026?
You can be fired at 5 attendance points within a rolling 6-month (183-day) period.
It is not automatic, but most stores terminate at 5 points
5 points = Termination threshold
Points drop off after 183 days
This doesn’t necessarily mean automatic firing the moment you hit 5 points. Store managers often have discretion, especially for reliable employees or unusual circumstances. But if your points reach — or exceed — five, you are generally at high risk of being fired if no mitigating reasons are presented.
Newer Employees
If you’ve worked at Walmart for less than six months, some reports suggest the threshold can be slightly lower (often around 4 points) — though this can depend on policies at your specific location.
How Long Do Points Stay on Your Record?
Walmart tracks attendance using a rolling timeline, not a fixed reset date. That means:
- Each point stays on your record for about 183 days (≈ six months).
- As each point reaches six months old, it drops off automatically — lowering your total.
There’s no single “reset day”; instead, points expire individually based on when they were earned.
Will Legitimate Absences Count Against You?
No — approved time off generally doesn’t earn attendance points. These include:
✅ Protected Paid Time Off (PPTO) — used for emergencies or sudden needs
✅ Approved PTO
✅ Medical leave or FMLA-protected time off (when properly documented)
✅ Other legally protected leaves
Using PPTO or approved leave correctly usually keeps points off your record — which is crucial if you anticipate missing work.
Tips for Managing Your Attendance Points
Here are some strategies to protect your job and keep your attendance record clean:
📍 Communicate Early
Always report absences as early as possible through official channels — OneWalmart/GTA portal or direct to a manager.
📍 Use PPTO When Eligible
If something comes up suddenly (illness, family emergency), use your Protected PTO so it doesn’t count against you.
📍 Track Your Points Yourself
Log into the Walmart employee portal regularly to check your point total and expiration dates.
📍 Know the Policy
Walmart’s attendance policy can be updated over time, and local decisions may vary by store, so always read the materials provided by your HR team.
Final Thoughts
Walmart’s attendance point system is designed to balance the needs of the business with fairness to employees. While five points in six months is generally the threshold where job security becomes serious, actual outcomes can vary based on circumstances, documentation, and managerial discretion.
If you want to protect your position and build a strong work record, knowing how points work — and how they expire — is one of the most valuable tools you have as an associate in 2026.