Staff absence
In the UK, staff absence refers to any instance where an employee is unable to attend work due to illness, injury, family or personal reasons, bereavement, medical appointments, or other unforeseen circumstances. This can include:
- Absence due to sickness (e.g., flu, stress, or other health-related issues)
- Family emergencies (e.g., caring for a sick family member or attending to a family crisis)
- Personal reasons (e.g., bereavement, divorce, or other personal matters that require attention)
- Medical appointments (e.g., doctor’s visits, hospitalisations, or other medical procedures)
- Jury service
- Maternity leave
- Paternity leave
- Adoption leave
- Parental leave
- Family and carer’s leave (as per the UK’s Flexible Working Regulations)
Staff absence can also include situations where an employee is unable to work due to circumstances beyond their control, such as:
- Inclement weather (e.g., extreme cold or heat)
- Transport issues (e.g., traffic congestion, public transport disruptions, or car breakdowns)
- Home emergencies (e.g., burst pipes, electrical faults, or other domestic crises)
Staff absence can be categorised into different types, including:
- Short-term absence: Absence lasting up to 3 days
- Long-term absence: Absence exceeding 3 days but not exceeding a maximum of 12 weeks (as per the UK’s Statutory Sick Pay regulations)
- Unauthorised absence: Absence without prior notice or approval from management
Employers in the UK are required to follow certain procedures when dealing with staff absence, including:
- Maintaining accurate records of employee absences
- Implementing a fair and consistent policy for managing staff absence
- Providing support and reasonable adjustments for employees experiencing mental health issues or other disabilities
- Ensuring compliance with relevant employment laws and regulations (e.g., the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996)
It’s worth noting that employers may also have their own company policies and procedures in place to manage staff absence, which can vary depending on the organisation’s size, industry, and culture.
AceRota’s automated rotas and staff absence tracking features enable managers to quickly identify and address staffing gaps, reducing the impact of employee absences on service delivery.
