Workshop details
Objectives: to provide delegates with the practical skills to manage workplace absence effectively. To enable appropriate action to be taken to encourage a reduction in absenteeism and deal with persistent absentees, including preparing for and conducting return to work interviews and investigations into absence.
Duration: Single day workshop
Programmes are agreed on a client by client basis.
Details of the subjects covered in this programme:
- Introduction and Objectives:
- The need to manage absence
- Minimising absence through effective management
- Brief Review of the Legal Framework:
- Legal status of absence from work
- Distinguishing conduct from capability
- Relevant principles of unfair dismissal
- The importance of fair procedures
- Rights to Time Off Work:
- Parental leave
- Time off for dependents
- Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave
- Other statutory rights to time off
- Managing Absence in the Workplace:
- Contractual rights – sick pay and withholding pay
- Controlling absence – practical tips
- Monitoring and keeping records
- Implications of the Data Protection Act
- Importance of confidentiality
- Fit Notes/Medical certificates and their status
- Return to Work interview:
- Their importance in managing absenteeism
- Preparing for the interview
- Structuring questions – what information can be sought
- Format and structure
- Conducting the interview
- Short Term/Intermittent Absence
- Brief summary of the legal requirements
- The procedure to follow
- Handling Long Term Absence
- The Equality Act and disabled employees
- Conducting Investigations into Absence Prior to Considering Taking Formal Action:
- Advance preparationStructure and format
- Structuring questions to obtain relevant information
- The importance of medical reports
- Practical advice regarding the conduct of investigations
- Conducting the interview
- Deciding what to do next
Practical exercises will look at conducting return to work interviews and absence investigations.
If you would like someone to contact you in connection with the above, please get in touch with Anthony Wilcox, Partner in Employment Law.
