Sickness Issues and SSP

5. A Pattern of Absence

Those who set out to exploit the system unfairly often fall into habits of abuse. These habits may show up as patterns in your personnel records.

5.1 Be on the alert for lots of short absences.

• Repeated absences involving Mondays and Fridays may be particularly significant.
• People who work too many hours, for whatever reason, tend to be off sick more.

5.2 A pattern of absences coinciding with major sporting events may be suspicious.

5.3 A combination of frequent lateness and one-day absences demands investigation.

• The employee may have continuing difficulties at work, or at home.
• There may be chronic health problems that need to be addressed.
• Disciplinary action may be needed.