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Managing attendance and absence is one of the most common, and costly, challenges facing UK employers. With significant changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) taking effect from 6 April 2026 under the Employment Rights Act 2025, there has never been a more important time to make sure your policies, processes and managers are ready.
Policies should reflect a supportive approach that balances employee wellbeing with operational needs. It is important to know your obligations under Statutory Sick Pay and when to request fit notes. As the Employment Rights Bill reshapes employer responsibilities, now is the time to review sickness and absence policies.
From 6 April 2026, SSP is payable from day one of absence. The three waiting days have been removed and the lower earnings limit abolished which means every employee is now entitled to SSP, regardless of what they earn.
If you don’t have a clear absence management process in place, those costs can escalate quickly, particularly where short, frequent absence goes unmanaged.
Read our full guide to the April 2026 SSP changes.
Fair, consistent and well-communicated policies are essential so that your employees understand their entitlements and your obligations as an employer, while your business is protected in the event of a dispute or issue.
Our specialist HR consultants can ensure your business is compliant with current employment legislation and support you with the full range of attendance and absence challenges, from day-to-day queries to complex, sensitive situations.
We work with businesses of all sizes on the full range of attendance and absence issues, including:
From time to time, employers will also need support and guidance on managing specific absence challenges, including:
Whether you need help putting the right framework in place or support with a pressing problem, we offer practical, expert assistance tailored to your business. Here is how we can help:
We will review your existing sickness absence policy and staff handbook to make sure everything reflects the April 2026 SSP changes, is legally compliant, and gives your managers something clear and consistent to work from. If you do not have a policy in place, we can build one from scratch.
A bespoke absence management toolkit built around your business – not an off-the-shelf template. It includes a tailored policy, practical guidance for managers, and a suite of forms and checklists so your team has everything they need to manage absence fair, consistent and compliant.
A good policy only works if your managers know how to apply it. If your managers are not confident having early absence conversations, identifying patterns, conducting return to work interviews or managing sickness consistently, your policy will not protect you. Our absence management training gives managers the practical skills and confidence to handle absence properly – whether they are working with your existing process or a new toolkit.
Where absence is complex or long-term, we can refer employees for occupational health assessments to give you an independent, expert view on fitness for work, recommended adjustments and likely timescales for return – helping you make informed, fair decisions.
Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to strengthen what you already have, our team is here to help. Contact us today to find out how we can support you with attendance and absence management as well as occupational health assessments.
We can also offer occupational health assessments
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