My general practice, because I don’t want to take more class time than necessary, is to hand back papers when I’ve got an assignment graded, and then to hold on to the papers of students who are absent until the next time I have an assignment to return. If you miss the day when I’ve handed back an assignment, I’m happy to give you your paper at any time before or after class. (Due to FERPA, I can’t give graded work “to a friend” without written permission: you have to collect your own papers.)