Our client is an online ladies fashion business with a head office/design studio in London and a large warehouse and distribution centre in the Midlands.  The business had grown quickly in a short space of time and they had no in-house expertise.  The Operations Director approached us to assist with their HR operational requirements; her immediate area of concern was the extremely high levels of absence within the warehouse, which were impacting significantly on the business.

emphasis hr & training conducted a review of the absence levels and immediately identified several members of staff on long-term sickness, as well as many other cases of persistent and short-term absence, which was not being dealt with. We put in place an absence management process including absence triggers and return to work interviews.  In the cases of long-term sickness, we contacted and consulted with those employees to gather further information, including contacting their doctor, arranging home visits and looking at reasonable adjustments to facilitate a return to work.  Where possible a phased return to work was agreed and where this was not appropriate the termination of employment on ill health grounds was considered.

We also worked alongside the Managers to develop their confidence and experience in dealing with absence issues, working alongside them where necessary to build their confidence in dealing with these meetings in the future.