Handle absences fairly and consistently

Sickness is a normal part of working life – but how you manage it has a big impact on morale, productivity and trust.

At Alpha Recruitment Services Ltd, we see that clear, fair sickness procedures help employers support genuine illness, reduce misuse and maintain positive working relationships.

Set Clear Policies and Communicate Them
• Have a written sickness absence policy that covers:
• How and when staff should report sick
• Evidence required (self-certification, fit notes)
• Trigger points for reviews or formal meetings
• Share this at induction and remind staff regularly – no one should be “surprised” by the process.

Record and Review Absences Consistently
• Keep accurate records of all sickness absence – dates, reasons, stages reached
• Apply your triggers and processes the same way to everyone
• Look for patterns (e.g. frequent Mondays/Fridays, repeated short spells) and address concerns early, calmly and factually.

Consistency protects both the business and staff from perceptions of unfairness.

Use Return-to-Work Conversations

A short, structured return-to-work discussion can:
• Check how the employee is feeling
• Identify any underlying issues (health, workload, workplace factors)
• Agree any temporary adjustments if needed
• Reinforce expectations around attendance

Handled well, this is a supportive tool – not a punishment.

Balance Support and Accountability

Good management of sick leave means:
• Showing genuine care when people are unwell
• Signposting to medical or wellbeing support where appropriate
• Challenging unreliable attendance where there is a pattern or impact on the team, using your policy and HR advice

The goal is not to avoid difficult conversations, but to have them early, fairly and respectfully.

How Alpha Recruitment Services Can Help

We support employers to:
• Build realistic attendance expectations into job descriptions and contracts
• Communicate clearly about attendance standards during recruitment and onboarding
• Attract candidates who understand reliability and professionalism are part of the role

Email: admin@alpharecruitmentservices.uk
Phone: 02035766312
Website: https://alpharecruitmentservices.uk