Winter Sickness, Christmas Parties and Hangovers
Employee absence days tend to be far higher over the winter months than at any other time of year and can be a real headache for Employers during what is normally a busy period in the run up to Christmas and immediately after.
A recent study by Mercer showed that January is, by far, the month with the highest level of sickness absence, with sick leave averaging half a day per person for the month. During the whole of 2008, 13 of the 20 most popular days for sickness absence occurred in January, and six of these were taken between 2 and 9 January.
Winter sickie?
No doubt many Employers will suspect that some of their Employees are taking time off due to hangovers in the coming months. If Employers do have good evidence that an illness is faked then this would certainly be grounds for holding a disciplinary hearing although it is doubtful that a first time offence and a short absence would warrant a dismissal and instead a warning would be the appropriate sanction.
As a practical point many Employers may well conclude that it is better to turn a blind eye to a one-off suspicious absence rather than risk alienating a good Employee through accusing them of being hungover; they may well take exception even if it is true!
This entry was posted on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm and is filed under Press and Media.
The new Equality Act explained.
Coodes Solicitors’ head of employment, Emma Bramley, explains how changes in the Equality Act will affect businesses. After receiving Royal Assent in the Queen’s Speech on April 8, 2010, the Equality Act will come into effect on October 1 this year.
Coodes Solicitors launch new Tourism and Leisure Team
A specialist team of experts from different departments and different offices has been created to support businesses in the leisure and tourism industry.
Not only will Coodes Solicitors deal with holiday homes and caravan and camping parks, but also pubs, hotels, restaurants, gymnasiums and attractions.
The service has been launched in response to a growing demand for advice from clients in the sector.