High levels of sickness absence can be very costly to your business even if you only pay Statutory Sick Pay, because an employee’s absence places strain on colleagues and leaves important gaps in the organisation’s productivity. In particular, frequent, short-term sickness absence is very disruptive to businesses large and small.
Many businesses believe that there is nothing that can be done to bring sickness absences down to a reasonable level. In fact, nothing could be further than the truth. Over the years, James House HR has helped many businesses to make large savings and reduced administrative burdens by significantly reducing levels of sickness absence. Businesses do not necessarily need fancy absence management software or a complicated absence management policy. Simple measures can have a significant effect on sickness levels and overall employee morale.
James House HR are experts in helping organisations to develop methods that reduce frequent, short term absence and providing practical advice and support in dealing with long term absence. We are happy to advise on actions that can be taken to deal with one specific case, or develop an organisation wide absence management programme. All of our advice is based on sound knowledge of employment law and extensive practical experience in organisations large and small.
Frequently Asked Questions
My employee always has a doctor’s certificate. Does that mean we can’t do anything?
Absolutely not. Whilst it is commonly held belief that this is the case, it simply isn’t true that nothing can be done. Employers are completely entitled to actively manage employee sickness absence. James House HR are happy to advise you in respect of individual employees. Introducing an effective absence management policy will go a long way to ensuring all employees are fully aware of the leave of absence management policy.
My employees go off sick, and then I don’t hear from them. I’ve been told that ‘phoning them constitutes harassment’. Is this true?
Employers are perfectly entitled to find out the whereabouts of their employees if they should be at work. A well-drafted sickness absence policy will make this clear to your employees. We are happy to provide a sickness policy that applies specifically to your organisation’s particular needs.
My managers and supervisors are nervous about dealing with sickness absence matters. Is there any training available?
James House HR are able to provide you with in-house training covering sickness absence management. If we have developed a specific absence management policy for your business, we will ensure that our training gives your managers the expertise to effectively implement your sickness policy. Your managers will understand the definition of absence management and become confident in implementing your absence management system using the appropriate absence management procedure for the particular circumstances. We pride ourselves on using genuine absence management case studies to bring a dose of reality to our absence management training.
For advice on any aspect of managing sickness absence matters including developing an absence management policy, absence management best practice or absence management training, please call us on 01273 222817 for no-obligation advice.