Managing absence
It doesn't have to be difficult or complicated managing employee absence.
- Tell your employees what they can expect from you to help them return to work, as far as your business permits.
- Make sure they understand their own contractual duties to you, including what procedures you require for absences from work.
It is important to have a fair and consistent approach to return to work and for you, your employees and their representatives, to be honest and trust each other at every step of the process. The sooner you take positive action together, the more likely it will be that your sick employees can return to work successfully and get on with the job of helping you build your business.
For small employers, an employee off work for more than 14 days is likely to be rare. But when it does happen there are considerable benefits from working in partnership with your employees, their trade union or other employee representatives, to help those off sick return to work as soon as they are able.
By doing this you will:
- Keep valued staff and avoid unnecessary recruitment and training costs
- Keep your business productive and where your sick employee has built up a loyal client base, keep this as a source of income
- Reduce unnecessary overheads, such as saving on lost wages and sick pay costs
- Help meet your legal duties and avoid discriminating against disabled workers
- Maintain and improve workplace relations by working in partnership with your employees and their workforce representatives.
Talk to us
If you have a health and safety related question that you would like answered, simply call us now on
0845 345 0055
Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm
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Implementing health and safety measures doesn't have to be expensive, time consuming, or complicated. Let us show you how.