Managers and sickness absence

Managers have a central role in absence management. But while the expectation that line managers will take primary responsibility for managing short- and long-term absence grew in 2021 (according to the Health and wellbeing at work report by the CIPD HR professionals’ body and insurance firm SimplyHealth), that was not necessarily matched by training in absence-handling and/or tailored support. As the report pointed out: “Too many organisations are not providing the support and training needed to ensure managers have the confidence and capability do this job well”.

In NHS Wales, managers are expected to “know their employees” and be familiar with the issues surrounding the attendance profile and needs of their employees, allowing them discretion on whether an employee progresses through the absence procedure. They can communicate the range of health and wellbeing support that is available (including through trade union representatives if required). They are also expected to consider the opportunities to return employees to work safely and at the earliest opportunity through the supportive mechanisms available.