Our approach to managing sickness is rooted in our commitment to supporting colleague wellbeing and ensuring we can continue to provide high quality services to the people of Derbyshire. This policy is designed to help us work collaboratively in line with our values, act with accountability, empower our colleagues and managers, and embrace innovative ways of supporting health and attendance at work.
Aims
Provide clear, supportive guidance for colleagues and managers
We want everyone to understand what to expect when sickness absence occurs, and to feel supported throughout. The policy sets out a fair and consistent approach that helps managers and colleagues work together to maintain positive attendance and wellbeing.
Encourage early, open and collaborative conversations
Good attendance is best achieved when health concerns are identified early. We encourage open, honest dialogue between colleagues and managers so that support, adjustments and practical solutions can be put in place as soon as possible.
Empower colleagues and managers with the right tools and support
We want to build a culture where colleagues feel enabled to manage their health and wellbeing, and where managers feel confident in using the policy, factsheets, resources and advice available to them including occupational health, HR support, and wellbeing services. We've invested heavily in wellbeing support for employees. This support plays a key role in proactively keeping employees healthy and at work or in facilitating an effective and prompt return to work should an employee become sick and require support.
What the policy covers
The Sickness Absence and Ill Health Capability Policy includes:
- information for colleagues and leaders on the sickness absence triggers
- provides information about how sickness absence triggers and reviews should be managed
- details on the 3 stages of the procedure, from informal discussions to formal meetings and, where necessary, a Stage 3 discussion
- links to further information through fact sheets to help at each stage of the policy
Access the Sickness Absence and Ill Health Capability Policy and template letters to support you through the policy.
Wider resources and learning for leaders
To help colleagues and leaders manage sickness absence effectively here is some further helpful information.
SAP Fiori
If you need help with recording sickness on SAP FIORI or accessing the reports, there is guidance available for you:
Our wellbeing offer
You can find out more information about our wellbeing offer and ideas for working proactively with your team on managing sickness and supporting their wellbeing at work.
Occupational health
Find out about referring someone to occupational health.
Learning on sickness absence
We have also refreshed the mandatory e‑learning for managing sickness effectively (approximately 45 minutes) which is available via Derbyshire Learning Online (DLO) which outlines how sickness can impact in the workplace and how leaders can support colleagues when managing sickness.
If you are a manager and you need further support with managing sickness absence the Advice and Support team is available to discuss individual cases and provide one-to-one guidance, email cst.hrmanageradviceandsupport@derbyshire.gov.uk.