How Employers Manage Absence

Bevan S, Dench S, Harper H, Hayday S | Employment Relations Research Series ERRS25 | Department of Trade and Industry | Feb 2004

In the main, managing absence was not a major issue of concern for the employers in this 2001 survey. Indeed, in response to recruitment difficulties, there were instances of organisations introducing initiatives aimed at employees to improve their work-life balance.

Though management do not systematically collect information to monitor absence, sickness absence was seen to be on the decline, while non-sickness absence was on the increase (though from a low base). Generally, unplanned absences caused more problems than planned absences.

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