Managing Sickness Absence
Short-term patterns, long-term absence, occupational health referrals, and the line between support and capability. Practical tools for managers who need to manage absence confidently — not just follow a policy.
Absence management is a management problem
Most organisations have an absence policy. Far fewer have managers who know how to use it. The result is inconsistency — some managers ignore absence patterns entirely, others jump to formal process too early, and almost nobody has a confident handle on occupational health referrals, reasonable adjustments, or the point at which support becomes capability.
This course gives managers the practical skills to manage absence effectively. Not just the process steps, but the judgement — when to support, when to challenge, when to refer, and how to have the conversations that most managers avoid.
Read more: what absence is really telling you about your organisation.
What this course covers
Short-term absence patterns
Identifying triggers, having return-to-work conversations, and managing persistent short-term absence fairly and consistently.
Long-term sickness absence
Keeping in touch, occupational health referrals, reasonable adjustments, phased returns, and when absence becomes a capability issue.
The legal framework
Disability discrimination, the duty to make reasonable adjustments, day-one sick pay changes under the ERA 2025, and the risks of getting it wrong.
Difficult conversations
How to have compassionate but honest conversations about absence — balancing support for the individual with the needs of the team and the business.
Data and decision-making
Using absence data to identify patterns, inform decisions, and have evidence-based conversations rather than reactive ones.
Who this is for
- Line managers dealing with absence on a daily basis and unsure when or how to escalate
- HR practitioners advising managers on absence cases and ensuring consistency across the organisation
- Operations managers in sectors where absence has a direct impact on service delivery or production
Common questions
Does this cover the ERA 2025 changes to sick pay?
Yes. The course covers day-one SSP entitlement and the wider implications for how organisations manage absence — including the financial and cultural impacts.
Is this relevant for mental health-related absence?
Yes. A significant proportion of long-term absence is mental health-related, and the course covers how to manage these cases sensitively, including reasonable adjustments and occupational health referrals.
Can this be tailored to our absence policy?
Yes. We can build the scenarios around your specific triggers, policies, and escalation processes so that managers practise applying your framework, not a generic one.
Related courses
Turn absence management into a genuine capability.
Tell us what your organisation needs. No obligation, no generic proposals.
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