Element 1: Recording sickness absence

The guidance contained here was first published in 2004 and therefore makes no reference to the Fit Note. The majority of the guidance contained herein remains relevant, although readers will need to keep in mind the existence of the Fit Note in applying any potential recommendations.

Checkpoint

Are you able to identify which of your employees are off sick and why ?

Key issues

• Knowing who among your employees is off sick and why will help you to:
  • Identify patterns and high level causes of short/long-term sickness absence;
  • Identify work-related/other causes;
  • Plan cover for your absent employees;
  • Benchmark your organisation’s performance.

Communication point

Recording sickness absence daily and summing it up on a weekly basis will help keep the information accurate and prompt you to make contact with absent employees at suitable intervals.

Extra Information

• HSE is developing a simple tool for recording,monitoring and measuring sickness absence
• Sickness recording classifications
• See the Guidance on Legal Issues for Data protection responsibilities