From April, if your employee goes off sick for 28 weeks it will cost you £3,269.
Now most employees don’t have 28 weeks off work in any one year but if they do that is the cost to you and your business.
Statutory Sick Pay is a cost imposed on employers by the Government, but it cannot be claimed back leaving you with the cost.
So not only are you a team member down, but you possibly now can’t afford to cover them for that absence as you are also having to pay them. This is not only a cost to the business but also has a detrimental effect on the team who are left carrying the extra load.
The situation is becoming so difficult for small businesses, and whilst employee rights have changed significantly, situations like this can be avoided if absence is managed well from the start.
It might just be worth reviewing your sickness absence policy to ensure it is still fit for purpose and has appropriate measures in place to manage poor attendance.
For more advice on managing sickness absence in your workplace please get in touch.