LRD guides and handbook June 2015

Sickness absence and sick pay - a guide for trade union reps

Introduction

Introduction [pages 3-4] (650 words)

None of us knows when we might need the support of a good sick pay scheme and a fair absence management policy. The issue brings together an element ...
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Chapter 1

1. Current approaches to sickness absence [ch 1: page 5] (244 words)

The last five years have seen increased pressure on sick and disabled people, both in and out of work. Government changes to the benefit system, ...
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Sickness absence statistics [ch 1: page 5] (119 words)

Days and working time “lost” [ch 1: pages 5-6] (242 words)

Decline in sickness absence [ch 1: page 6] (222 words)

Rise in presenteeism [ch 1: page 7] (242 words)

Public and private sectors — how real are the differences? [ch 1: pages 7-8] (445 words)

The impact of gender and age [ch 1: page 8] (180 words)

Workplace size and location [ch 1: pages 8-9] (175 words)

Hours and workload [ch 1: page 9] (146 words)

Occupation [ch 1: page 9] (160 words)

Caring responsibilities [ch 1: page 10] (111 words)

Short and long-term absence [ch 1: page 10] (226 words)

Underlying causes [ch 1: page 10] (202 words)

Musculoskeletal disorders [ch 1: pages 11-12] (251 words)

Stress and mental health problems [ch 1: page 12] (383 words)

Chapter 2

2. Developing absence management [ch 2: page 13] (346 words)

Despite the long-term decline in levels of sickness absence highlighted in Chapter 1, and growing recognition of the problems caused by stress, the ...
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Employers’ basic legal responsibilities [ch 2: pages 13-14] (399 words)

Absence management framework [ch 2: pages 14-16] (515 words)

New framework, old measures [ch 2: page 16] (238 words)

Notifying and certifying sickness absence [ch 2: pages 16-17] (621 words)

The Fit Note [ch 2: pages 17-18] (453 words)

Keeping in touch [ch 2: pages 18-19] (237 words)

Return to work [ch 2: page 19] (273 words)

Trigger points [ch 2: page 20] (202 words)

The Bradford Factors system [ch 2: pages 20-21] (265 words)

Longer-term absence [ch 2: page 21] (234 words)

Fit for Work [ch 2: pages 21-23] (948 words)

Occupational Health Services [ch 2: pages 23-24] (233 words)

Capability and disciplinary procedures [ch 2: pages 24-25] (368 words)

Retention and rehabilitation [ch 2: page 25] (243 words)

Well-being and health promotion [ch 2: pages 25-26] (502 words)

Chapter 3

3. Specific legal rights and protections [ch 3: page 27] (182 words)

With benefits and sick pay under pressure and a harsher approach to sickness absence being taken by some employers, union reps will want to ensure ...
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Disability [ch 3: pages 27-28] (475 words)

Definition of disability [ch 3: pages 28-29] (496 words)

Reasonable adjustments [ch 3: pages 29-31] (649 words)

Access to work [ch 3: page 31] (165 words)

Pregnancy, maternity and IVF [ch 3: pages 31-32] (537 words)

Gender [ch 3: pages 32-33] (213 words)

Age [ch 3: page 33] (293 words)

Race [ch 3: pages 34-35] (681 words)

Sexual orientation and gender reassignment [ch 3: pages 35-36] (319 words)

Domestic violence and partner abuse [ch 3: page 36] (202 words)

Part time and fixed-term workers [ch 3: pages 36-37] (195 words)

Zero-hours contracts [ch 3: page 37] (178 words)

Agency workers [ch 3: pages 37-38] (308 words)

Self-employment [ch 3: page 38] (190 words)

Flexible working [ch 3: pages 38-39] (282 words)

Dependants and family emergencies [ch 3: page 39] (113 words)

Holidays and sickness absence [ch 3: pages 39-40] (247 words)

Entitlement to paid leave [ch 3: page 40] (142 words)

Accumulating holiday while on leave [ch 3: page 40] (100 words)

Unable to take holiday due to sickness absence [ch 3: pages 40-41] (399 words)

“Use it or lose it” [ch 3: pages 41-42] (480 words)

Chapter 4

4. Sickness absence and pay [ch 4: page 43] (311 words)

The Black/Frost report (see page 13) highlighted studies suggesting a “causal link” between high sickness absence and generous occupational sick ...
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Entitlement to sick pay [ch 4: pages 43-44] (280 words)

Contractual rights [ch 4: pages 44-46] (796 words)

Statutory sickness benefits [ch 4: page46-48 ] (749 words)

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) [ch 4: pages 48-49] (267 words)

Eligibility for SSP [ch 4: pages 49-50] (503 words)

Disputes over SSP [ch 4: page 50] (210 words)

Employment and Support Allowance [ch 4: pages 50-51] (410 words)

Occupational sick pay [ch 4: pages 51-52] (464 words)

Sick pay changes in the public sector [ch 4: pages 52-53] (375 words)

Value of occupational sick pay [ch 4: pages 53-54] (394 words)

Duration of entitlement [ch 4: pages 54-55] (750 words)

Waiting days and minimum service [ch 4: pages 55-56] (394 words)

Work-related absence [ch 4: pages 56-57] (305 words)

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit [ch 4: pages 57-58] (333 words)

Attendance incentives [ch 4: page 58] (184 words)

Pay during a phased return to work [ch 4: page 58] (168 words)

Transfers of employment [ch 4: pages 58-59] (204 words)

Second job [ch 4: pages 5960] (376 words)

Deductions from wages [ch 4: page 60] (223 words)

Chapter 5

5. Sickness and dismissal [ch 5: page 61] (230 words)

Most employers will have their own procedures for managing sickness absence including circumstances under which the possibility of dismissal can ...
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Frustration of contract [ch 5: pages 61-62] (424 words)

Dismissal [ch 5: pages 62-63] (382 words)

Dismissal and disability [ch 5: page 63] (156 words)

Notice of dismissal while sick [ch 5: page 64] (178 words)

Medical evidence [ch 5: pages 64-65] (312 words)

Pregnancy-related dismissal [ch 5: page 65] (370 words)

Surveillance [ch 5: page 66] (456 words)

Gross misconduct [ch 5: page 67] (237 words)

Activity while off sick [ch 5: pages 67-68] (358 words)

Health and constructive dismissal [ch 5: pages 68-69] (513 words)

Checklist — Defending a member facing dismissal for long-term sickness [ch 5: pages 69-70] (331 words)

Further information

Further information [ch 5: pages 69-70] (175 words)

Statutory Sick Pay: www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/spmmanual/spm10135.htm ...
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