HR FAQs

You should follow the notification procedures that were outlined to you from your manager.  However, the normal notification procedures are:

• Speak to your Line Manager no later than 1 hour after the normal start time of your work, on the first day of absence.  Some workplaces like schools and care homes, which require to put cover arrangements in place ask that you contract your Manager as early as possible.
• You should call your manager and talk to them, texting, instant messaging or email is not considered appropriate means of notify sickness absence.
• Having someone call on your behalf is only acceptable where it is I impossible for you to speak i.e. you may be in hospital and have no means of contact or your illness manes you cannot physically talk etc.
• You should ensure that your manager is advised of what is wrong with you, why you are unable to be at work and when you think you may be able to back to work.
• If your absence continues beyond a day, you must maintain regular contact with your manager, this means as a minimum contact on day 3 and then on a regular basis thereafter.  You should agree with your manager what regular means i.e. how often, when and how contact is made.

Failure to notify sickness absence or maintain regular contact during sickness absence can result in sickness absence being treated as unauthorised which can also result in occupational sick pay not being paid.