Skip to main content

Managing Short-Term Absence

Short-term absences can arise for a variety of reasons — from genuine illness to potential misconduct. Effective absence management should strike a balance between supporting employees’ legitimate needs and maintaining clear, consistent procedures for addressing unauthorised or frequent absences.

It’s also important to consider that frequent short-term absences may also be influenced by additional factors throughout the workplace. For example, excessive workloads and any accompanying stress, problematic working relationships and organisational change can all impact the wellbeing and subsequent attendance rates of your employees. Training & Wellbeing experts within Loch can identify and deliver appropriate wellbeing solutions for your business.

By giving employees the opportunity to raise any concerns or difficulties they may be facing, effective strategies and support can be put in place. In certain circumstances, however, escalation procedures may also be required if attendance rates do not improve and we can advise you on these options.

Managing Long-Term Absence

Managing long-term absence can be a challenge for everyone concerned, often requiring managers to have the understanding, skill and capacity to implement HR policies in delicate circumstances. Even with the best intentions, managers may not have the necessary experience and interpersonal skills to deal with the potential complexities of long-term absence.

Through guidance, advice and training, our PAM™ service can not only help to determine the individual needs of employees but will also facilitate a return to work as soon as possible and reduce the disruption to your business.

How Loch Delivers This Service

Loch helps employers manage short-term absence by acting as an extension of your team to put clear, pragmatic processes in place. Our HR consultants review your policies, track absence data to spot patterns early, and hold supportive conversations that get to the root cause. With input from our HR, medical and support specialists, we assess cases, liaise with occupational health/GPs, interpret medical reports, and give practical, risk-aware advice. We can guide or run return-to-work meetings, build tailored plans and train managers to handle absence confidently, all while recommending wellbeing initiatives that encourage recovery, retention and a healthy attendance culture. 

Long-term absence can be managed with care and clarity through support from Loch’s dedicated HR, medical and support specialists. We assess cases to confirm authenticity, speak directly with employees in a sensitive, professional manner, and provide clear reports with practical, risk-aware recommendations. Working with occupational health, GPs and specialists, we interpret medical evidence, advise on fitness for work and reasonable adjustments, and design tailored return-to-work plans—running meetings on your behalf to ensure consistency and reduce pressure on your team. We also recommend wellbeing initiatives that aid recovery and retention, helping you maintain a fair, supportive culture of health and attendance.

Short-term absence at work is typically caused by minor illnesses like colds and flu, musculoskeletal issues, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and stress, alongside personal reasons like family responsibilities or emergencies. Effective management involves implementing a clear absence policy, encouraging open communication, and addressing workplace factors like high stress or difficult relationships that can contribute to employees taking time off.

Yes, employers must pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to eligible employees in the UK as a legal minimum, but they may also offer more through a contractual or company sick pay scheme.

Yes, it is possible to dismiss an employee for long-term sickness, but only if the employer follows a fair and reasonable process, has a valid reason such as medical capability or significant business impact, and has considered all alternatives. 

Latest News

Blog

Living Together, Splitting Up – Why the Law on…

Blog

The Loch Lens: July 2026

Blog

Summer Party Season: Setting the Tone and Reducing Risk at Work…