Sickness absence management

We know from work we have done with many clients that sickness absence is a common and increasing challenge. We understand that absence can have a significant impact on the smooth running of your organisation, as well as on financial performance and your other staff members.

On occasion, sickness is caused by or is a symptom of a disability.  The consideration of those competing factors, as well as the duty of care you owe to your employee, makes this a complex area.

When handling sickness absence, we work with you to identify what issues might be in play:

• Has the absence been properly notified or is there a concern about unauthorised absence?
• Is there any suggestion that the illness might not be genuine?
• Is the absence short-term and intermittent or long-term?
• Is there a disability or other medical condition that needs further investigation?
• Are there any health insurance or pension issues that are affecting the position?
• Are there patterns of sickness or absence which indicate an abuse of sickness absence benefits/leave?

The answers to these questions will provide a structure to how the absence should best be dealt with, always underpinned by finding you the best solution that takes into account your business needs.

Recent Examples of work:

• Assisting a medical practice with an employee with a terminal illness
• Advising on the reasonableness of adjustments sought by an employee with a disability
• Supporting a small charity to manage the ongoing absence of a key member of staff within a small team
• Guiding an organisation through the dismissal of an employee on long-term absence in circumstances where the employee refused to engage with attempts to meet with her and obtain more information