Long-term absenteeism is a serious issue for employees and their employers, which is why we offer help, tools and guidance for both parties dealing with this.

Each week one million workers take time off because of sickness and most return to work within days; but around 17,000 people reach their sixth week of statutory sick pay; and at this point, almost one in five people will stay off sick and eventually leave work.

How can employers deal with long-term absenteeism, what is it and how does the law regulate both employees and their employers dealing with the issue of sickness?

What?

Long term sickness absence / absenteeism can cause a downward spiral of depression, social isolation and delayed recovery making a return to work less likely. Reducing long-term sickness absence helps maintain a healthy and productive business and safeguards everyone’s jobs.

Remember – prevent it from becoming a job loss. This is how we can support a company and their employees dealing with long term absenteeism:

• Help to identify measures to improve worker health and prevent it being made worse by work
• Suggest that your employer develops workplace plans and policies on sickness absence management
• Help to keep workers who are on sick leave in touch with work
• Help your employer to plan adjustments that will enable sick workers to return to work
• Support sick workers to help them to return to work and help to promote understanding of health conditions and disability in the workplace

It is rare for an employee at a small business to be off sick for more than 14 days, however you should already have plans in place to work with employees and trade unions in case it happens and help the employee return to work.

Ensure you tell an employee what you can do for them in terms of help and repeat their own contractual duties to you – be honest and trust each other.

How?

It’s worth bearing in mind that it is not in anyone’s interest for people who are off sick to come back to work before it is safe for them to do so. However, the longer someone is off work, the harder it becomes for them to return (particularly if they are left on their own to overcome barriers to return).

Steps you can take when an employee is off sick and asking about returning to work:

• Explain that returning to work will benefit them with improved health and wellbeing and with more pay in their pocket
• Record and monitor all sickness absence – know the cause of sickness, in case it is work-related

Managing sickness absence is typically divided into these six steps:

• Recording sickness absence
• Keeping in contact
• Planning and undertaking workplace adjustments
• Using professional or other advice and treatment advice
• Agreeing and reviewing a return to work plan
• Co-ordinating the return to work process

The law says…

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and related legislation, employers are required to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees.

There are many laws that come into consideration when talking about sickness and long term absenteeism in the work place, including:

• The Equality Act 2010
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA) 1974
• Employment Legislation, focusing on: Employment Rights Act 1996 and Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Regulations) 2004
• Data Protection Act 1998

Business Health Partners says…

We know this is a subject which can be difficult to approach – an employee who is absent for an extended amount of time may require extra care and support which can be difficult to give.

As an occupational health provider, we are committed to helping organisations and employees to:

• Develop a systematic approach to dealing with long-term absence
• Understand the most appropriate responses to the specific circumstances of each case
• Identify the most useful sources of further guidance and information
• Ensure your organisation’s response to long-term absence is effective and in line with relevant legislation and best practice
• Get links to sources of advice, information and best practice

If you’d like to know more about the occupational health services, training and consultancy that we provide, why not call 07720 956789 or if you like what you hear, follow us at @BusinessHealth_.