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

Commentary and Insights

Employment law 2025: Six key tasks for HR

We look at what HR needs to do to meet its employment law obligations and prepare for the …

Commentary and Insights

Employment Rights Bill: 10 key policies employers must revamp

The Employment Rights Bill packs 28 imposing employment law reforms into its 158 pages. While HR professionals await …

HR News

Statutory maternity, paternity and sick pay confirmed for 2025

The 2025-26 rates for statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and sick pay have been published by the …

HR News

More than a fifth take injury leave without pay

More than a fifth of people who had to take leave due to an injury last year were …

Tools & templates

Checklist for holding short-term sickness absence return-to-work meeting

This checklist supports employers in preparing for and holding an informal return‑to‑work meeting with an employee following short‑term …

Guides – How to

How to manage and conduct return-to-work interviews

Return-to-work interviews are a key tool in effective sickness absence management. This guide explains how to plan, conduct …

Tools & templates

Sickness absence self-certification form

Support compliance and consistency in absence management using our Sickness absence self‑certification form. Editable and simple to complete.

Guides – How to

How to deal with keeping-in-touch days during maternity leave

A guide explaining how keeping‑in‑touch (KIT) days work during maternity leave, including limits, pay arrangements and employee protections.

Checklists

Checklist for holding stage 1 long-term sickness absence meeting

A model checklist for holding a stage 1 long‑term sickness absence meeting, setting out the key steps to …

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