Absence management

Managing absence effectively is a core part of fair, consistent people management. Employers must balance operational needs with employee rights, while complying with statutory requirements around sickness absence, family‑related leave and time off.

 

This page brings together Brightmine® UK guidance, tools and resources on absence management, covering both planned and unplanned absence. The content is designed to help HR teams understand their legal obligations, apply absence procedures fairly, and respond appropriately when absence becomes a concern.

 

Clear processes, accurate records and consistent decision‑making are essential when managing absence. Getting this wrong can expose organisations to legal risk, employee relations issues and wider workforce disruption.

  • Letter confirming outcome of stage 1 short-term sickness absence meeting

    Featured resource


    Letter confirming outcome of stage 1 short-term sickness absence meeting

    A stage 1 short‑term sickness absence meeting helps employers address attendance concerns early and set clear expectations going forward. This guide explains how to use a letter confirming the outcome of the meeting to summarise discussions, actions agreed and next steps.

Browse our full library of absence management resources

Tools & templates

Maternity leave policy

This model policy sets out employees’ rights to maternity leave and pay, including time off for antenatal care, …

Tools & templates

Ordinary parental leave policy

This model policy sets out employees’ entitlement to ordinary parental leave, including eligibility, how leave can be taken …

Tools & templates

Form for mother to provide declaration of consent and entitlement for their partner to take shared parental leave

Shared parental leave requires formal declarations to confirm consent and entitlement before leave can be taken. This guide …

Guides – How to

How to set absence triggers and targets

Absence triggers and targets help organisations identify patterns of sickness absence and take action consistently and fairly. This …

Tools & templates

Form for notification of employee’s intention to take maternity leave

Employees must give formal notice of their intention to take maternity leave so employers can meet statutory obligations …

Tools & templates

Letter explaining right to statutory maternity pay

Employers must give employees clear written confirmation of their entitlement to statutory maternity pay once eligibility has been …

Tools & templates

Adoption leave policy (adoption within UK)

Keeping accurate sickness absence records helps employers monitor attendance, manage absence consistently and support fair decision‑making. This guide …

Tools & templates

Shared parental leave policy (birth)

A model shared parental leave policy setting out employees’ rights to shared parental leave and pay following the …

Employment law guide

Rest breaks and rest periods

A guide to workers’ statutory rights to rest breaks and rest periods under the Working Time Regulations 1998, …

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