High levels of 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 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 through efficient absence management strategy. 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 a 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. James House HR are happy to advise you in respect of individual employees.
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.
For help implementing an absence management strategy or for advice on any aspect of managing sickness absence matters, please call us for no-obligation advice.