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.

  • Managing sickness absence: Tools HR professionals rely on

    Featured resource


    Managing sickness absence: Tools HR professionals rely on

    Managing sickness absence relies on more than return‑to‑work meetings alone. Drawing on insights from HR professionals, this article explores the practical tools organisations use to manage absence effectively, including informal conversations, wellbeing initiatives, occupational health support and absence triggers, and why consistency alongside flexibility is key.

Browse our full library of absence management resources

Commentary and Insights

Why some employers must provide extra holiday in 2024

As a result of how the Easter bank holidays fall in 2024 and 2025, some employers will breach …

Commentary and Insights

Carer’s Leave Act: Six things HR needs to know

The new statutory right to carer's leave, created by the Carer's Leave Act, is due to come into …

Commentary and Insights

Guide: Holiday pay and entitlement reforms from 1 January 2024

This guide to the holiday pay and entitlement reforms from 1 January 2024 reviews the key changes HR …

Commentary and Insights

Bank holidays: Six things employers need to know

Public holidays can raise a myriad of compliance issues for employers. We explain how to deal with some …

Commentary and Insights

Hybrid working and sickness absence management: Practical tips

Employers must align their hybrid working model with their sickness absence management procedures. Here are five steps to …

Commentary and Insights

Calculating holiday entitlement for term-time workers

In light of new guidance for local government employers on term-time workers, consultant editor Darren Newman looks for …

Guides – How to

Handling sickness absence in a performance improvement procedure

Understand how to handle sickness absence in a performance improvement procedure, with expert guidance on next steps, communication …

Commentary and Insights

Local authority sick pay entitlement: Factors to consider

This article looks at factors for local authority employers to consider when determining entitlement to sick pay.

Guides – How to

How to handle employees taking unauthorised annual leave

Learn how to deal with employees who take unauthorised holidays. Practical HR guidance on managing unapproved annual leave, …

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