Sickness is an inevitable part of life, and as an employer, supporting employees when they fall ill is essential. But what happens when absences become excessive, disruptive, or even questionable? Without proactive management, a poor workplace culture can develop and escalate over time.

Frequent short-term absences require one strategy, while stress, anxiety, and depression-related absences demand a completely different approach. According to the HSE, mental health-related absences lead to an average of 21 sick days per person – far exceeding the national average of 15.5 days for other illnesses or injuries. Whatever kind of absence you’re dealing with, taking the right steps in each case is crucial to reducing disruption and protecting your business.

In this session, we’ll explore effective policies and procedures for managing absence, highlight when to escalate matters, and ensure you handle situations compliantly to minimise the risk of an Employment Tribunal.