Absence and Absenteeism

Advice and guides on how to manage absenteeism (habitual evasion of work, or willful absence for voluntary reasons) and unscheduled employee absence in the workplace for legitimate purposes (e.g. accidents, sickness or a family issue).

Employing & managing staff

There’s snow reason not to go to work

With the 'Beast from the East' ravaging UK shores, many workers are failing to get into work. Is snow a good enough excuse to not show up?

Employing & managing staff

The top ten worst excuses for absence

We have all pulled a sickie to get out of work for one reason or another, but what are the top ten excuses for absence?

Employing & managing staff

Absenteeism is hitting UK SMEs where it hurts

Seven in ten small businesses say high absenteeism rates are impacting their profitability and productivity.

News

Absence rates show Blue Monday and National Sickie Day are no more

Absence rates for the first half of the year show that British workers are avoiding Blue Monday and national sickie day to call in sick.

News

Employers don’t see coughs and colds as acceptable excuses for absence

Small business bosses are dubious that coughs and colds warrant time off, research finds.

News

127 million hours of work absence taken due to mental health

Mental health problems, including stress, depression and anxiety, are the leading cause of workplace absence in the UK after minor illnesses, research finds.

News

Cancer to blame for a chunk of long-term absences

Cancer now accounts for almost a third (31 per cent) of all long-term sickness claims paid, with breast and gastrointestinal cancers accounting for almost half of those claims, research finds.

Employing & managing staff

Beating absenteeism during the European Championships

In this piece, in conjunction with Boost Capital, we give some tips on managing staff while the European Championships are on.

Employing & managing staff

What happens when an employee struggles to get in during bad weather?

Here, Alan Price discusses how to deal with absenteeism due to inclement weather.

News

Excuses for absence revealed by employees

Almost one in six working Britons admit to 'faking it' for a day off work, research finds.

Employing & managing staff

A step-by-step guide to managing repeated employee absence

With the cost of sick leave absence escalating, Neil Atkinson discusses how to address the problem in six steps.

Employing & managing staff

How to deal with short-term absence issues

Employee absence can be particularly damaging to the productivity of a small business. Employment expert Adrian Hoggarth outlines how to regain control of the situation as a company owner.