Managing cover for long-term sickness absence

By Kathy Daniels

Managing long‑term sickness absence is a challenge for any organisation, and ensuring effective workload cover is essential to maintaining continuity and supporting team morale.

Employers may need to redistribute tasks among colleagues, bring in agency support or recruit temporary cover — and the right approach will depend on how long the absence is expected to last.

Our guide helps HR teams make informed, compliant decisions by outlining the key options, considerations and best‑practice steps for managing cover during extended periods of employee illness.

In this guide, learn about:

• Likely length of the sickness absence
• Covering the absence with existing employees
• Covering the absence with agency workers
• Covering the absence with a fixed-term employee
• The absent employee’s return to work

Want to see more?

For full access to How to manage cover for long-term sickness absence, sign up to a HR and Compliance Centre subscription today.