Course Objectives 

By the end of the course, delegates will have:

• Helped people with responsibility for employees to manage employee absence effectively
• Identified the key drivers of high attendance levels and the reasons for high absence levels in different organisations and cultures
• Enabled participants to apply Company Policy on absence in a way which is consistent with the legal framework, including disability and employer’s liability considerations
• Developed skills in interviewing staff in the context of both disciplinary and medical capability situations and to enable participants to differentiate between the two.

Course Content

Managing Absence
Causes of absence
Strategies and methods of control
Analysing absence levels for type and cause

The Legal Framework
Unfair dismissal principles – five fair reasons
The Disability Discrimination Act
Liability – e.g. stress, injury and damages
Contractual considerations – Sick Pay/PHI schemes
Legal case studies

Return to Work Interviews
The Employer’s Policy
Examples and action
Role plays

Disciplinary Action
Differentiating between medical, capability and conduct causes
Giving a warning (role play)
Recording and follow up

Personal Development Action Plans

Course Duration: One Day