Sickness Absence Policy

(A pdf version of this policy is available for download here)

 

Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the operational efficiency of St Erth Parish Council (the Council) be maintained whilst employees are absent from work for sickness or injury related reasons.  It also seeks to provide guidance, security and support to employees during periods of ill-health.

Procedure

Employees who are unable to attend work through sickness, accident or personal circumstances must notify the Chair (or Vice-Chair in their absence) of the reasons for their absence on the first day of their absence.  Employees should make every effort to speak to someone who can be briefed on their workload and any urgent matters that may require attention.  If possible, they should give an indication of how long they expect to be absent so that arrangements can be made for cover if required.

If the absence is for a period of less than 7 days, employees should complete a self-certificate form on their return to work.  For periods over 7 days a medical certificate is required.  This is known as a Fit Note.  It should contain information on what an employee is fit to do.

The Chair (or Vice-Chair) should be kept advised of the circumstances preventing an employee from attending work, of their likely return date, action being taken to mitigate the effect of the illness (e.g. GP visit), and contact details in case of work-related queries.  The Council will only contact employees during their sickness absence if absolutely necessary.

Employees who are absent from work due to reasons other than sickness/accident are required, wherever possible, to obtain prior permission from the Chair (or Vice-Chair).  The Council will consider each case of absenteeism on its merits and written evidence may be required.  Where the incapacity to work arises from a voluntary action by the employee (eg cosmetic surgery or organ donation), then sickness absence leave and pay will be entirely at the Council’s discretion, and should be agreed in advance.  Where absenteeism appears unreasonable or unwarranted, employees may be liable for disciplinary action for misconduct.

The Council may seek advice from the local authority occupational health service, and this service may seek to make contact with the employee.

An employee should expect a ‘return to work’ meeting with the Chair (or Vice-Chair) on their first day back at work after any period of absence, this will be to ensure that they are fit to work and to update them on developments in the work of the Council and their workload.  This interview may be conducted by phone.

Sickness Pay

Sick pay will be paid in accordance with the employee’s length of service as outlined in their contract. SSP is paid where applicable at the current rate.

Long-term or frequent short-term absence

This procedure is designed to outline the process where an employee is absent due to sickness on a long-term or frequent short-term basis.  The discussions and investigations will review the employee’s capability or capacity to undertake the work.  The aim is to ensure fair treatment for all.

The procedure is non-contractual and does not form part of the terms and conditions of employment with the Council.  The procedure may be amended from time to time.

Principles

Sickness absence issues will be dealt with sympathetically and sensitively while also recognising the requirements of the Council and the impact of the absence on others.

The Chair (or Vice-Chair) will maintain reasonable and periodic contact during the period of sickness absence.

A full review, normally including medical reports, will be undertaken when determined necessary.  Advice from the local authority’s occupational health service will be sought, early in the process, and at future stages where appropriate.

All periods of sickness absence (after the first 7 days self-certification period) must be certified by a medical practitioner (Fit Note) and in some cases the employer may request certification for periods of absence of less than 7 days, in which case it will pay the appropriate fee to the medical practitioner issuing the certificate.

The employee will be consulted at each stage of the procedure, to establish the true medical position and in order that the situation can be reviewed in full.

The employee will be advised if their employment may be at risk.

Throughout the procedure, discussions should take place on any reasonable adjustment that might be considered, to enable the employee to return to work.

Where possible, appropriate assistance will be provided to help the employee to return to work.

In all cases before taking a decision to terminate an employee’s contract on grounds of ill health, managers will take into account:

  • any representations from employees, including additional medical information;
  • the employee’s length of service;
  • the employee’s most recent health situation and the likelihood of an improvement in attendance;
  • whether it is possible to hold the job open for longer and the effect of past and future absences on the Council;
  • the availability of suitable alternative work or working hours;
  • any other reasonable adjustments which could be reasonably expected to facilitate the return to work;
  • the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 on the particular case, and whether this may have a bearing on the actions to be taken;

Should an employee be disabled, reasonable adjustments will be made or an alternative role may be offered (Equality Act 2000).

The employee will be informed of the right of appeal against any decision taken to terminate their contract of employment.

At all formal stages of the procedure, the employee may be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative.

Where it is clear early on that the employee will not be well enough to return to work, and after consultation with the employee, the employee’s contract may be terminated prior to stage 3 of the procedure, but not before the employee’s sick pay has expired.

Where there is reason to believe that the employee is absent due to misconduct rather than genuine sickness, the matter will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter under the Disciplinary Procedure.  Advisory Conciliation & Arbitration Service (ACAS) procedure to be followed, if current Council procedure not available.

The Procedure

Absence levels will generally start to be of concern to managers at the following trigger points:

  • 3 absences in a 12 week period;
  • 10 days intermittent absence over the past 12 months;
  • 3 weeks continuously off sick.

Informal meeting

Where this is the case, managers will normally discuss absence levels with the employee.  The aim will be to encourage the employee to understand the manger’s concerns and to agree ways, if possible, of improving the situation.  If the employee has been off sick continuously, or if there appears to be an underlying health problem, the Council will arrange for a GP’s report (or a report from other medical specialist as appropriate).  The employee’s written permission must be given before the medical practitioner is approached. The Council will follow the ACAS Performance Management procedure.

Stage one – First formal meeting

After the informal meeting has taken place, the Staffing Committee will decide if a first formal meeting is required.

A first formal meeting will be arranged where:

  • In the case of long-term sickness absence, there is no clear date of return.
  • In the case of frequent short term sickness absence, there has been no improvement in the weeks subsequent to the informal meeting.

The Chair (or Vice-Chair) will notify the employee in writing of the meeting to discuss the employee’s sickness absence.  The employee will be advised on the concerns and that this is the first formal stage of the procedure.  They will be advised of the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative and will be given the opportunity to state their point of view.

Medical reports may normally be reviewed to assess whether there is any underlying health problem, and if so, what this is.  Alternatively, permission to access medical records may be sought at this meeting.

There will be a discussion on ways to assist the employee to return to work, where appropriate.

Unless there is a clear date for return (e.g. in the case of a broken limb), the manager should advise the employee that employment cannot be held open indefinitely.  They should state that there will normally be two further meetings, after which the employee’s contract may need to be terminated on grounds of capability.

The issues discussed at the meeting will be recorded and a reasonable date set for a second formal meeting.

Stage 2 – Second formal meeting

The employee will be informed in advance of the meeting in writing and advised that they may be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative.  At the meeting the employee’s absence will be reviewed.  Medical reports will be reviewed again where appropriate.  An up-to-date medical report will normally be sought prior to the second formal meeting; the report will be discussed at the meeting.

If at the second formal meeting, the employee’s absence is still a cause for concern, the manager should advise the employee that there will be one further meeting, after which the employee’s contract may need to be terminated on grounds of capability.

The issues discussed at the meeting will be recorded and a date set for a third formal meeting.

Stage 3 – Third formal meeting

The employee will be informed of the meeting in writing and advised of their right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative.  The meeting will be held by the Chair (or Vice-Chair).  A letter will advise the employee that it is possible that termination of employment on the grounds of ill health may be an outcome of the meeting, but that the employee will have the opportunity to state their point of view, which will be fully considered.

Medical information should again be reviewed at this meeting.  The employee’s absence should be discussed again.  An up-to-date medical report will be sought prior to the third formal meeting and the employee should be asked for their views.  The report will be discussed at the meeting.  Where there is any lack of clarity, or a dispute on the medical information, a second, independent medical report may be sought.

If absence levels have not reduced at this stage and if the hearing manger believes, on an assessment of medical information and after discussion with the employee, that there is no likelihood of improvement in the foreseeable future, the employee’s contract will be terminated on the grounds of capability.  Before taking this step, the manager must consider again, and discuss with the employee, whether any reasonable adjustments might be made, to enable the employee to return to work.

If a decision to terminate employment is taken, the employee will be provided, soon afterwards, with a letter outlining the reasons for the termination of their contract, the date on which the contract will terminate, and details of the right of appeal.

Appeal

If the employee wishes to appeal against the decision to terminate employment, they should write to write to the Chair (or Vice-Chair) giving reasons for the appeal.

This appeal must be made within 10 working days of the receipt of the date of the letter confirming termination of employment.  The employee will have the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative at the appeal meeting, which will be held without unreasonable delay.  The employee will be given the opportunity to state their point of view at the meeting.  The Council’s decision will be final.  The termination date of employment will not delay in order for the appeal hearing to take place.

 

Adopted 7th February 2023 171/02/22-23g)
Reviewed 6th February 2024 173/02/23-24c)
Next review due February 2027