Sickness absence policy and procedures

Regular and punctual attendance at work is essential. If you are absent, you must contact your manager or alternative designated contact. You must follow our procedure:

• You must report sickness absence to your manager on the first day of absence. You must do this as early as possible and within one hour of your start time. You may have other local arrangements are in place.
• You must make personal contact by telephone. Text or email, or another form of messaging, are not acceptable unless in exceptional circumstances.
• If you are unable to speak to your manager, leave a message and a contact phone number. Ask for someone to pass it on to your manager as soon as possible. You should expect and be available to receive a return phone call.
• There may be times when you are unable to contact your manager personally. For example, on admittance to hospital. The person who contacts the manager on your behalf must leave a contact name and number.
• If you fail to make contact to report an absence, your manager will contact you. You must have a justifiable reason for failing to make contact. If not, your manager may record your absence as unauthorised. They may refer you to our disciplinary policy.
• If you are going to be absent from work, you should tell your manager:
  • when the illness started
  • the broad nature of the illness (for example, migraine, chest infection etc)
  • if the illness work-related
  • if you are seeking medical attention
  • the likely date of return, if known
• Your manager will advise you how and when they want you to make contact again. You must update them on your absence and your expected return to work date.
• You must get a 'fit note' from your doctor and give this to your manager on the eighth day of absence. 
• You must keep managers advised of your health and progress towards returning to work. If you are not returning to work, you must send your manager a new 'fit note' upon expiry of the current one.
• You may return to work early, before the expiry of a 'fit note'. If your doctor indicates that you may be fit to work with adjustments, you must contact your manager. They may not agree to an early return if they cannot give you the support you need.
• If a 'fit note' states that you are not fit to return to work, you cannot return early.
• If you have secondary employment, you must advise each manager whether or not you are absent.