Absence and sick leave

Managing absenteeism is an important step in addressing business costs. Because of competitive pressures, companies can't afford to carry unnecessary absence. Many Ibec member companies are proactively looking at best practice in developing absenteeism and sick leave policies. The resources below have been created to support them.

Sick pay cases before the Labour Court

14/02/2017 - Recent sick pay related case law before the Labour Court highlights a number of key considerations from employers. For example, in deeming an employee’s absence unauthorised and removing them from the company sick pay scheme, the case law suggests, up to date medical information must be obtained.

Latest Ibec research on sick pay, absence rates and income continuance schemes

09/01/2017 - Access details of Ibec's latest research on absence rates, sick pay and income continuance schemes.

Elective procedures – sick leave or annual leave?

29/04/2015 - Employers often find themselves in unknown territory when an employee enquires about time off and whether company sick pay will cover the day of the procedure and any subsequent days needed for recuperation from treatment.

Employee absenteeism- A Guide to Managing Absence

25/02/2015 - The Ibec "Employee Absenteeism - a Guide to Managing Absence" contains a comprehensive examination of absence in over 600 companies. The guide covers all aspects of absence management including recording of attendance, use of targets and 'triggers', identification of patterns of absence, as well as providing details of the cost of absence to employers.

Must sick pay be paid by an employer?

05/02/2015 - In general, there are no statutory provisions in legislation which provide for payment of occupational sick pay to an employee who is absent on sick leave.

Return to work interviews - guidance for managers

05/02/2015 - Research shows that carrying out return to work interviews is one of the most effective measures employers can take to reduce absence levels. We explain why these interviews are so important, and provide guidance to assist managers' understanding and confidence in the process.

Sample return to work interview form

05/02/2015 - Research shows that carrying out return to work interviews is one of the most effective measures employers can take to reduce absence levels. See our sample return to work interview form.

The importance of fair procedures when referring an employee for fitness to work medical assessment

05/02/2015 - Employers should ensure that an employee’s contract of employment provides the employer with the right to refer an employee to a medical practitioner nominated by the employer. It is important that, in referring an employee for a fitness to work medical assessment, that the basis on which the employee is being referred is made clear to the employee.

Fitness to work – the doctors’ dilemma, an employer’s decision

13/06/2013 - It is when an employee has been off work due to either illness or an injury that employer must turn to the services of a medical practitioner to assist them with determining the fitness of an employee to return to work. When this happens an employer will require quite specific information regarding the employee’s capacity to return to work and to decide if the person is fit to carry out their normal work tasks. It is therefore recommended that the employer ask specific questions of the doctor to limit any confusion or vague comments in a doctor’s report.