Attendance Management

a Review of Good Practice

Bevan S, Hayday S | Report 353 | Institute for Employment Studies | Nov 1998

By the late 1990s it was estimated that sickness absence cost the UK economy £11 billion each year. With changes to the sick pay rules, and growing concern over workplace stress, many employers were continually seeking ways of managing attendance.

This report looks at how this could be done, and reviews the policies of over 30 leading UK organisations to present a model of good practice. The report also highlights key international research findings on absence.

Still highly topical in both private and public sectors, the time is ripe for many organisations to overhaul their approach to managing the costs and consequences of non-attendance. Whether the issues are cultural, causal or consequences of caring at home, sound policy and good practice make business sense.