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

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

This model policy sets out an organisation’s rules on annual leave, including entitlement, requesting and approving holiday and …

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

Use this model letter to inform an employee that sickness absence without the required medical evidence is being …

Tools & templates

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

A model letter for responding to an employee who has notified their intention to take maternity leave, with …

Tools & templates

Example SMP1 form

Access a professionally developed example SMP1 Form to support your Statutory maternity pay process.

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