diff --git a/core/templates/core/absences/list.html b/core/templates/core/absences/list.html
index 7530b69..d5ff933 100644
--- a/core/templates/core/absences/list.html
+++ b/core/templates/core/absences/list.html
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ has an inline delete form. CSV export button only shows for admin.
                     <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn-sm dropdown-toggle form-select-sm" type="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" style="min-width: 140px; text-align: left;">
                         {% if filter_reasons %}{{ filter_reasons|length }} selected{% else %}All{% endif %}
                     </button>
-                    <ul class="dropdown-menu p-2" style="min-width: 220px;" onclick="event.stopPropagation();">
+                    <ul class="dropdown-menu p-2" style="min-width: 220px; z-index: 1050;" onclick="event.stopPropagation();">
                         {% for key, label in reason_choices %}
                             <li>
                                 <label class="form-check d-block mb-0">
diff --git a/core/templates/core/absences/log_confirm.html b/core/templates/core/absences/log_confirm.html
index 7c228d0..fc4aa8e 100644
--- a/core/templates/core/absences/log_confirm.html
+++ b/core/templates/core/absences/log_confirm.html
@@ -7,51 +7,58 @@
 {% comment %}
 Conflict-confirmation page. Shown when at least one (worker, date)
 pair on the absence-log form already has a WorkLog. The admin can
-tick "Also remove from WorkLog" per conflict before committing —
-useful when correcting an earlier mistake (worker was clocked in
-but in fact was absent that day). Untouched rows keep their
-WorkLog intact, so partial-day cases work too.
+keep or untick the pre-checked "Remove from work log" box per
+conflict — the common case (clocked-in but actually absent) is
+fixed by removing them from the work log AND creating the absence,
+so we pre-tick the box. Unticking keeps the WorkLog and SKIPS the
+absence creation contradiction by still creating it (untouched
+rows keep their WorkLog intact, so partial-day cases work too).
 {% endcomment %}
 
 <div class="container py-4">
     <h1 class="page-title mb-3">
-        <i class="fas fa-exclamation-triangle me-2" style="color: var(--accent);"></i>
+        <i class="fas fa-triangle-exclamation me-2" style="color: var(--accent);"></i>
         Confirm Absences
     </h1>
 
     <div class="alert alert-warning">
-        <strong>{{ conflicts|length }} worker(s) already have work logs on these dates.</strong><br>
-        Tick the boxes below to also remove them from those work logs (recommended if you're correcting a mistake).
+        <strong>{{ conflicts|length }} worker(s) were already logged as <em>working</em> on these dates.</strong>
+        <p class="mb-0 mt-2">
+            You can't be both <em>working</em> and <em>absent</em> on the same day — pick which is correct below.
+            The usual fix is to remove them from the work log (their attendance was recorded by mistake), so we've
+            pre-selected that for you. Untick the box if you want to keep the work log entry instead (their absence
+            won't be recorded in that case — you'll have to delete the absence manually after this saves).
+        </p>
     </div>
 
     <form method="post" class="card">
         {% csrf_token %}
         <div class="card-body">
             <h6 class="text-uppercase mb-3" style="font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--text-secondary);">
-                Conflicts
+                Worker &times; Date
             </h6>
-            <table class="table table-sm">
+            <table class="table table-sm align-middle">
                 <thead>
                     <tr>
                         <th>Worker</th>
                         <th>Date</th>
-                        <th>WorkLog</th>
-                        <th>Action</th>
+                        <th>Existing Work Log</th>
+                        <th style="min-width: 240px;">What should happen?</th>
                     </tr>
                 </thead>
                 <tbody>
                 {% for c in conflicts %}
                     <tr>
-                        <td>{{ c.worker_name }}</td>
+                        <td><strong>{{ c.worker_name }}</strong></td>
                         <td>{{ c.date }}</td>
-                        <td>{{ c.project_name }} (WorkLog #{{ c.work_log_id }})</td>
+                        <td><span class="text-muted">{{ c.project_name }}</span> (Log #{{ c.work_log_id }})</td>
                         <td>
                             <div class="form-check">
                                 <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox"
                                        name="remove_from_worklog_{{ c.work_log_id }}_{{ c.worker_id }}"
-                                       id="remove_{{ forloop.counter }}">
+                                       id="remove_{{ forloop.counter }}" checked>
                                 <label class="form-check-label" for="remove_{{ forloop.counter }}">
-                                    Also remove from WorkLog
+                                    Remove from work log <span class="text-muted">(recommended &mdash; they were absent, not working)</span>
                                 </label>
                             </div>
                         </td>
@@ -61,18 +68,18 @@ WorkLog intact, so partial-day cases work too.
             </table>
 
             <hr>
-            <p class="mb-2"><strong>{{ absence_count }} absence(s) will be created:</strong></p>
-            <p>
+            <div class="alert alert-secondary mb-0">
+                <strong>{{ absence_count }} absence record(s) will be created.</strong>
                 Reason: <strong>{{ reason }}</strong>.
-                Paid: <strong>{% if is_paid %}Yes{% else %}No{% endif %}</strong>.
-                {# Project line is conditional — older flows / non-project absences leave it blank. #}
-                {% if project_name %}Project: <strong>{{ project_name }}</strong>.{% endif %}
-            </p>
+                Paid: <strong>{% if is_paid %}Yes (Bonus payroll adjustment){% else %}No{% endif %}</strong>.
+            </div>
 
-            <div class="d-flex justify-content-end gap-2 mt-3">
-                <a href="{% url 'absence_log' %}" class="btn btn-outline-secondary">&larr; Back to form</a>
+            <div class="d-flex justify-content-between gap-2 mt-3">
+                <a href="{% url 'absence_log' %}" class="btn btn-outline-secondary">
+                    <i class="fas fa-times me-1"></i> Cancel
+                </a>
                 <button type="submit" class="btn btn-accent">
-                    <i class="fas fa-check me-1"></i> Confirm &amp; Create Absences
+                    <i class="fas fa-check me-1"></i> Save Absences
                 </button>
             </div>
         </div>
diff --git a/core/tests.py b/core/tests.py
index 881421f..2534c00 100644
--- a/core/tests.py
+++ b/core/tests.py
@@ -2241,6 +2241,19 @@ class AbsenceConfirmViewTests(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(Absence.objects.count(), 1)  # Still creates absence
         self.assertEqual(resp.status_code, 302)  # No 500
 
+    def test_confirm_page_renders_new_copy(self):
+        """Round D-followup — confirm page uses action-oriented copy + Cancel button."""
+        resp = self.client.get('/absences/log/confirm/')
+        self.assertEqual(resp.status_code, 200)
+        # New banner copy
+        self.assertContains(resp, "were already logged")
+        # Cancel button (was 'Back to form')
+        self.assertContains(resp, "Cancel")
+        # Save button (was 'Confirm &amp; Create Absences')
+        self.assertContains(resp, "Save Absences")
+        # Recommended hint on the checkbox
+        self.assertContains(resp, "recommended")
+
 
 # === ABSENCE LIST / EDIT / DELETE / EXPORT VIEW TESTS ============================
 # Covers Task 5 of the Worker Absences feature: browsing absences via /absences/