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Sickness absence management 

Learn how to manage sickness absence effectively, support employees and minimise business disruption.

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The importance of managing sickness absence 

Wales has the highest absence rate in the UK (opens in a new window). This means that more working days are lost to illness or injury in Wales than in other parts of the UK. 

As an employer, you should use effective sickness management practices in your workplace. This will help you create a healthier, more productive and legally compliant workplace. 

Managing sickness absence effectively can have many benefits. These include: 

  • Cost savings
  • Improved productivity and efficiency
  • Boosting employee wellbeing
  • Improved reputation
  • Positive work environment

By setting up clear processes to keep track of attendance and deal with any issues, you can help your employees and reduce the number of absences in your workplace.  

Page last reviewed: 11th March 2025

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