HSENI issue guidance on managing sickness

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has issued new guidance on managing sickness absence and the return to work.

HSENI Chairperson, Liam McBrinn, said he hoped the new guidance would be of help to employers as well as employees themselves.

The guidance is based on recent research among employers, health professionals and trade unions offering a practical step-by-step approach to managing sickness absence and getting people back to work quickly.

Action employers should take includes:

• Keeping in contact with sick employees
• Involving employees in planning their return
• Enabling people to resume work on a part-time basis rather than stay away completely
• Adjusting or removing any aspects of the job that make return difficult, or offer and alternative job if necessary.

Mr McBrinn said: “It is well recognised that being at work is good for your health. Therefore this guidance will be of immense help to employers both large and small as well as employees themselves.

“It will also contribute to the implementation of Northern Ireland’s ‘Working for Health’ strategy as it clearly signals how government can work with employers to ensure that everyone who can work is helped to do so,” he added.

(MB/SP)