Sickness absence – common problems

When a member of staff is off sick for a long period, or for frequent shorter ones, it creates difficulties for the employer, particularly in a small business.

Things to remember:

• Sickness absence is not a disciplinary issue, and even though the procedure you should follow is the same, discipline and health issues cannot be combined for the process of warnings and dismissal.
• Determining when the level of absence becomes a problem sufficient to trigger the procedure is determined by your particular circumstance; there is no fixed timescale.
• The procedure is a series of 3 warnings followed by dismissal. 

For detailed advice about the appropriate procedure, please contact us for help in preparing a Sickness Absence Policy.