In any business you are going to be faced with people unable to come in to work due to sickness. In the majority of circumstances, employers are concerned for the health and welfare of their employees, while employees are concerned about the effect their absence has on their peers.
However, absence, because of sickness or any other reason, can put you and your business in a difficult situation, especially if there is no policy in place on how to handle it.
So what is a sickness policy?
A sickness policy will detail the obligations and expectations of both the employer and the employee in the event of an absence from work due to sickness. It will outline the instances in which an absence due to sickness is accepted. A sickness policy should reflect and upholdthe company’s culture and business objectives, and aim to support its staff in their return to work, if this is possible.
Why have a sickness policy?
Implementing a sickness policy ensures that absences are managed in a consistent, supportive and effective way for both the employee and the employer.
It is a legal requirement for employers to provide staff with information on any terms and conditions relating to incapacity for work due to sickness or injury, including provision for sick pay. Upon beginning their employment all employees should be made aware of the sickness policy so that they can understand what is expected from them and what they can expect from you as their employer. The sickness policy would usually be documented within each individual’s employee contract.
What should you include in a sickness policy?
There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to what you should include in a sickness policy, so contact us and we will help you produce one.