HR Fact: Managing Sickness Absence Fairly and Consistently in the New Year

📘 Tuesday 13 January 2026 – HR Fact

HR Fact: Managing Sickness Absence Fairly and Consistently in the New Year

January often sees an increase in sickness absence following the festive period. For employers, managing absence correctly is essential to remain compliant and maintain productivity.

There is no legal limit on how many days an employee can be off sick, but employers must manage absence fairly, consistently, and in line with company policy and UK employment law.

Key points employers should be aware of include:

• Employees may self-certify sickness for up to 7 calendar days

• Fit notes may be required for longer absences

• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules must be applied correctly

• Absence management processes must be non-discriminatory

• Long-term sickness may trigger reasonable adjustment considerations

Poor absence management can lead to inconsistency, employee relations issues, or legal risk.

At Consensus HR, we help employers implement clear sickness absence policies and support managers with lawful absence management.

Comment from Matthew Chilcott – Owner:
“Clear absence procedures protect the business and ensure employees are treated fairly. January is the ideal time to review how absence is managed.”

👉 For support with sickness absence management, visit:
https://www.consensushr.com

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