Brookhaven aldermen are biting a big bullet in their desires toaddress a problem of unexcused absences among city workers.

A plan tentatively adopted last week would allow departmentheads to send employees home and dock a day’s pay on the firstunexcused absence offense. A second offense would warrant two daysof lost time and wages while a third offense would necessitatetermination of employment.

Some employees, particularly any who may have been able to abusethe system in the past, likely will not like the tougher newpolicy.

But disciplining employees who fail to appear for work orapparently can’t make a timely call to explain their absence issimply common business sense. Workers unexpectedly missing timecreates problems for supervisors, increased workloads for otheremployees and great difficulty in maintaining productivitylevels.

Employees need to be held accountable for their conduct. The newcity policy goes a long way toward addressing that worthy goal.