Welcome to America, where you’re never quite sure if your senator is dead or not
(www.theguardian.com)
In some positions, not showing up with no heads up, no explanation, can cost the company a shitload of money. Filmmaking for example, you might have a location booked to shoot at for the day, some important person doesn't show up, you can't shoot your scenes. And actors aren't the only people who could potentially hold up a shoot.