Overview
Staff sickness can be difficult for small businesses with few employees to manage and it can lead to inconsistent service provision, lower productivity and a decrease in staff morale. People are less likely to be ill if they enjoy their work; an inclusive and positive work environment will make a difference.
Short-term sickness absence often describes an absence lasting, perhaps, less than one week; long-term absence describes a continuous absence of about a month or several periods of absence for the same or related medical condition. The shift from short-term to long-term absence may not be obvious (especially with illnesses such as depression or stress) and you should understand the cause of absence to allow you to provide appropriate support. This advice guides you though the management process.