Who it is for
Employers who want a clear process for reporting, managing and supporting sickness absence, with trigger points you set yourself.
What it covers
- How to report absence, and what happens if someone does not follow the procedure.
- Self-certification for seven days or fewer, then a fit note.
- Statutory Sick Pay, with space to add your own company sick pay scheme.
- Return to work conversations, trigger points and absence review meetings.
- Long-term absence, occupational health and medical reports.
- Mental health, and disability-related and pregnancy-related absence recorded separately.
- Holiday during sick leave, and carrying it over.
The law it reflects
Checked against the law in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) as at 19 October 2026.
- Since 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness, with no waiting days and no lower earnings limit. It is £123.25 a week, or 80% of average weekly earnings if that is lower, for up to 28 weeks.
- Fit notes can come from a doctor, registered nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist.
- Disability-related absence is recorded separately and reasonable adjustments are considered under the Equality Act 2010. Pregnancy-related sickness does not count towards trigger points.
- The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 gives employees rights before you obtain a report from their own doctor.
- Statutory holiday keeps building up during sick leave. If sickness stops someone taking it, up to four weeks a year can be carried over and used within 18 months.
Before you use it
It is a starting point, not legal advice. Fill in the placeholders, set your own timescales, and check it fits how your organisation actually works. Take advice if a case is complex, could involve discrimination, or may end up at a tribunal. Northern Ireland has different rules in several areas.
Need more? See the Absence Management Pack. 11 documents: policy, leaders' guidance, letters for each stage, an occupational health referral and a phased return agreement. £79 + VAT, one-off.