How to Manage Sickness Absence

Wednesday 10 September at 2pm

£60 + VAT - ticket includes full access to the live workshop, a recording of the workshop, live Q+A, email Q+A, training slides, supporting documents and templates, and CPD certificate.

CPD Hours: 1 hour

Workshop Overview:

All employers want their employees to be present and productive. However, sickness absence is inevitable, and when it is not managed effectively, it can have serious consequences. Unplanned absences disrupt workflows, reduce productivity, and place additional strain on other employees, potentially leading to lower morale and increased stress.

If sickness absence policies are too rigid, employees may feel unsupported, risking disengagement or even legal challenges. On the other hand, if absence is not properly monitored and managed, businesses may face escalating costs, declining service levels, and an unfair distribution of work. Striking the right balance between supporting employees' health and maintaining business efficiency is crucial for long-term success. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to manage sickness absence effectively while ensuring fairness, compliance, and business continuity.

Learning Objectives:

We will look at the dos and don'ts of how to manage sickness absence. By the end of this workshop, you will learn:

• How to Handle Sickness Absence: What steps can you take when an employee is absent due to illness? Can you require them to attend an occupational health assessment? What questions can you legally and appropriately ask about their condition?
• The Best Way to Address Frequent Short-Term Absences: How should you respond when an employee has recurring short-term absences, and you suspect the reasons may not be genuine? What policies and procedures can help manage this effectively?
• Your Duties Around Disability and Workplace Adjustments: When does an employee’s health condition qualify as a disability under employment law? What constitutes a reasonable adjustment, and where is the line between reasonable and unreasonable accommodations?
• How to Manage Job Role Adjustments: If an employee is no longer fit for their current role, can you reassign them to a different position? What are your options if they refuse to move?
• When to Dismiss a Sick Employee: Under what circumstances can you lawfully dismiss an employee due to ill health? What are the key legal risks and best practices to avoid potential claims?
• Plus, the opportunity to have all your questions answered by our expert, Kathy Daniels.

Can't make the live workshop? Don't worry, catch a replay on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 17 Sep 2025, 2:00 PM
• Thursday, 18 Sep 2025, 11:00 AM
• Wednesday, 24 Sep 2025, 4:00 PM
• Thursday, 25 Sep 2025, 2:00 PM
• Tuesday, 30 Sep 2025, 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, 1 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM
• Thursday, 2 Oct 2025, 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, 8 Oct 2025, 2:00 PM

Book your replay here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/132/1419vc61

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