Workshop

Managing Absence from Work

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.

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 preparation
    • Structure 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.

Key Contact

Anthony Wilcox

Partner in Employment Law

Here’s why you should choose our team

Comprehensive expertise in employment law – from drafting new contracts and day-to-day HR advice to pursuing or defending Employment Tribunal claims.

Partner-led advisory service – providing you with direct access to highly experienced employment law solicitors.

Experienced in advising both employers and employees – our approach enables us to provide holistic and meticulously crafted advice and support.

Pragmatic, bespoke commercial advice – we work hard to find the right solution for you or your business objectives, working to your timescales.

Long-standing client relationships – a substantial amount of our new business stems from client referrals, a testament to the work we undertake.

Industry recognition – proudly hold rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, the industry’s leading independent legal guides.

Meet the team

FAQs

Below are some questions that we are frequently asked by clients who require advice on Employment Law

Why should an employer provide employment law and HR training to its managers?

Managing people within the law ensures that a business operates efficiently, while creating an appropriate workplace culture.  The cost of disruption caused by absence, poor conduct and under-performance are significant, both in terms of productivity and the impact on colleagues, affecting morale and staff retention. Tackling these problems requires an understanding of how to work within the framework provided by the law to minimise the risk of expensive Employment Tribunal claims.

Additionally, employers are expected to take steps to ensure that their workplace is free of discrimination and harassment, which includes providing suitable training and refreshing that training at appropriate intervals.

Will your training be too legalistic and lack the understanding needed to apply the legal principles effectively in the workplace?

No. We have a long track record of delivering training and feedback consistently comments on our ability to provide practical and relevant guidance in easy-to-understand language. We train delegates ranging from supervisors and team leaders working on the factory floor through to senior executives, Directors and HR professionals, tailoring our approach to the topics being covered and the delegates attending.

Do your training courses encourage participation?

Yes.  We encourage delegates to ask questions throughout the workshop so that relevant issues can be discussed at the time we are dealing with subjects. Additionally, our workshops usually use case studies to encourage discussion of the topics we are featuring, which feedback has shown delegates find both useful and interesting.

Contact the team

Here’s how to get in touch if you have any questions at all or would like to speak to us about your enquiry. Please complete the form below and one of our experts will get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Fields marked with * indicate required fields

What our clients say...

Related insights

The new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment

The Employment Rights Bill is here: What does it mean for employers and employees?

The New Labour Government and Employment Law Reforms

Employment Law Update: TUPE and consultation changes for transfers with effect from 1 July 2024

Don't miss out

Subscribe to stay up to date with our latest news and insights​.

We're trusted

Contact Us

In order for us to direct your enquiry to the right person at TWM Solicitors, we need to know a little more about you and what are you looking for.

Please complete the boxes below and we will forward on directly to the most appropriate person.

Thank you for contacting TWM Solicitors, your completed form has been sent successfully. If this is an enquiry we are able to assist with, one of our team will be in contact with you as soon as possible. Please note, this may not be until the next working day, and during business hours. If you require urgent assistance, please call: 0330 555 0440.