Partner Article

Unauthorised absence – a ‘grand theft’ for employers

Today sees the much anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto V, the most expensive video game ever made.

Whilst some fans have pre-ordered the game, it’s expected that many will ‘pull a sickie’ in order to queue outside stores to get their hands on a copy or otherwise to try out their new buy.

The cost of absenteeism to employers is significant and can be both disruptive and frustrating.

So what can employers do if an employee fails to show up for work?

As a starting point, if an employee simply does not attend work, this is an unauthorised absence and can be dealt with under your disciplinary procedure.

Care will need to be taken in situations whereby an employee does adhere to your sickness absence procedure and calls in sick - remember that some will be genuinely ill (even where it seems coincidental!) and therefore do not assume that they have taken a ‘sickie’.

You should meet with the employee when they return to work to discuss their absence and establish whether the illness was genuine, holding return to work interviews can be a helpful tool to minimise instances of unwarranted absence.

If after investigation you find that they were not genuinely sick then you can take disciplinary action. Employers should also check contracts and policies to see what sick pay the employee is entitled to and it may be that the ‘waiting days’ for statutory sick pay are a deterrent against this sort of conduct.

Remember to act consistently to avoid allegations of discrimination and always ensure with all disciplinary action that you follow a fair procedure.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lester Aldridge LLP .