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.

Browse our full library of absence management resources

Tools & templates

Paternity leave policy (expected week of childbirth before 5 April 2026 and birth before 6 April 2026)

This model policy sets out employees’ rights to paternity leave and pay under the rules applying where the …

Webinars

Employment Rights Act (ERA) 2025: Sick pay changes and practical steps to success

Understand UK gender pay gap reporting rules and how to build effective action plans. Expert guidance, deadlines and …

Tools & templates

Holiday policy

Create a clear annual leave policy with rules on holiday entitlement, booking requests, approvals and leave management to …

Guides – How to

Paternity leave: an employer’s guide

This guide explains the statutory entitlement for fathers or partners to take two weeks' paternity leave following the …

Guides – How to

Maternity leave

A guide to statutory maternity leave, setting out employee entitlements, employer obligations and protections for pregnant employees and …

Employment law guide

Ordinary parental leave

A guide to the statutory right to ordinary parental leave, explaining eligibility, procedures for taking leave and employee …

Tools & templates

Letter informing employee that their sick pay will be stopped or reduced

Manage unsupported sickness absence consistently with a model letter explaining when absence may be treated as unauthorised.

Tools & templates

Letter responding to employee who has notified intention to take maternity leave

Ensure compliance with maternity leave requirements using a template letter that confirms an employee’s intention to take maternity …

Tools & templates

Maternity certificate (MAT B1 form)

The MAT B1 maternity certificate provides evidence of an employee’s pregnancy and expected week of childbirth, which employers …

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