Sickness policy template 

Use this free sickness policy template to get started today.

Ensure that both employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to illness. Workplace dynamics are always changing, especially in the wake of global health crises, so having a clear sickness policy is more crucial than ever. 

But what exactly is a sickness policy, who needs one, and how can you draft one effectively?

Read on to find out, and grab our free sickness policy template above.

What is a Sickness Policy?

A sickness policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for employees who are unable to attend work due to illness. It provides clarity on how sickness absences should be reported, the documentation required and the support available to employees during their absence.

This type of policy ensures that both employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to sickness absence.

It should cover aspects like sick pay, notification procedures, and return-to-work processes. A well-drafted and monitored sickness policy template can help manage and reduce absences, ensuring that businesses can operate smoothly even when employees are unwell.

Why is a Sickness Policy important?

Sickness policies are important for a number of reasons, including for: 

• Employee wellbeing: A clear sickness policy shows employees that their well-being is a priority. It ensures that they have the necessary support and are not pressured to work when unwell.
• Operational consistency: It helps employers manage absences effectively, ensuring that work is redistributed and operations continue smoothly.
• Legal compliance: In many jurisdictions, employers are legally required to provide certain benefits to sick employees. A sickness policy ensures you can evidence compliance with these regulations.

When should you use a Sickness Policy?

Having a sickness policy in place is one thing, but knowing when and how to implement it is another. During the new employee onboarding, it's essential to introduce the sickness policy to make sure new hires understand their rights and responsibilities.

It's also important to regularly review and update the sickness policy during annual reviews to maintain its relevance and ensure compliance with any legal modifications. Equally, when an employee reports being sick, it's advisable to consult the policy to handle the situation in the most effective manner.

Who should draft and manage the Sickness Policy?

Typically, the HR department, in consultation with legal counsel, drafts and manages the sickness policy. However, input from team leaders and managers can also be invaluable, as they often have firsthand experience with managing sickness absences.

Key elements of a Sickness Policy

Below are some of the key aspects needed in a sickness policy.  

A notification procedure. Outline how and when employees should be notified of their absence.

Accurate documentation. Specify if medical certificates or other documentation are required and when.

Sick pay. Detail the company's sick pay policy, including any statutory sick pay entitlements.

Return-to-work. Describe the process for returning to work, including any return-to-work interviews or phased returns.

Support and adjustments. Highlight any support available to employees, such as counselling or workplace adjustments.

Long-term sickness. Address procedures for managing long-term sickness and potential interventions.

Disciplinary procedures. Clarify the consequences of not following the sickness policy or if there's suspicion of misuse.

Covering these essential points creates a safe environment for employees and their employers to discuss sickness openly. 

Challenges in managing sickness policies

That said, this isn’t always easy to create.

The free template above is written with the following in mind: 

• Balancing empathy and business needs.  It's crucial to support unwell employees while ensuring that business operations aren't severely impacted.
• Legal compliance. Laws related to sick pay and employee rights can change, requiring regular policy updates.
• Consistency: Ensuring that the policy is applied consistently across the organization can be challenging, especially in large companies.

Automating your HR documents

HR documents like employment contracts, amendments, stock option grants, NDAs and termination agreements can be painful for HR teams to manage - particularly as the business grows.

That's why modern businesses often choose to automate these documents from templates, using an AI-enabled contract automation solution like Juro. By handling routine paperwork this way, people and talent teams free up time that could be better spent on landing great candidates and implementing new procedures.

For more information, check out our customer case studies, or get in touch below to talk to a Juro specialist today.