HR Update - Time to tighten up on absence
Jacqui Mann
Monday, April 7, 2014
How can nurseries make sure they don't lose out as the Government phases out compensation to employers for the prolonged sickness absence of staff? Jacqui Mann advises
From 6 April 2014, any employer who pays Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will not be able to claim under the Percentage Threshold Scheme (PTS) for any SSP due after 6 April 2014. Employers will still have to pay SSP.
While there is no date set, later this year the Government will be introducing a new Health and Work Service to provide free occupational health advice and support for employees, employers and GPs to help people with a health condition to stay in, or return to, work.
It will be funded through the abolition of the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Percentage Threshold Scheme (PTS).
The new scheme will be made available to companies in England, Scotland and Wales with workers who have been absent due to illness, or are expected to be absent, for longer than four weeks.
The new Health and Work Service
- Referrals can be made either by the employer or by the employee's GP. The service will not be compulsory, so employees will be able to refuse to be assessed, or to follow any recommended treatment or action.
- Employers, employees and GPs will be able to access advice through a phone line and a website.
- Following an assessment, employees will receive a return-to-work plan with recommendations to help them to return to work more quickly and information on how to get appropriate help and advice.
If your nursery is going to be affected by the abolition of the PTS, you need to really tighten up on absence in your nursery. Often, sickness absence is allowed to continue in nurseries because the manager does not deal with the problem as soon as it occurs or they are unsure of how to deal with the situation.
What you need to do
- Have a clear policy in place.
- Deal with all absences as soon as they occur.
- Ensure staff understand the absence reporting procedures and the potential consequences for failing to report absence correctly.
- Carry out return-to-work interviews.
- Train managers on how to deal with absence.
If you're unsure, seek help on the process.
Jacqui Mann is MD of HR4Nurseries, www.hr4nurseries.co.uk.
