Do you have an employee on long term sick leave? Do you have issues with repeated absences and are not sure how to deal with these? Do you doubt your employee is genuinely sick?
Dealing with employee sickness is one of the most difficult aspects of being an employer. Regular absence can also cause severe disruption to your business and could cost your business thousands every year through sick pay and the cost of temporary, replacement staff. Issues can range from repeated short term absences to situations where employees become disabled or suffer from very serious illness.
The first and most important starting point is ensuring your business has clear policies and procedures in place which both you and employees are familiar with.
Before making any decision in relation to an employee’s future employment the employer will be expected to have taken great care, which should be demonstrable with evidence including medical evidence and explore all options and follow appropriate procedure.
Any dismissal would usually be based on capability grounds however if evidence suggests that an employee may be deliberately absent from work the matter could be dealt with as a disciplinary issue.
We can advise you on how to implement a fair procedure to help reduce sickness absence or the best course of action should you encounter a member of staff absent from work for a long period. We can also advise you on carrying out an investigation regarding any underlying medical conditions which cause absence.
If you would like to talk in confidence to one of our experienced solicitors or have any questions then please call us on 01268 240000 or email us at employment@palmerslaw.co.uk.
