Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To provide the Executive with an opportunity to consider proposed revisions to the Absence Management Policy.

Decision

That the proposed changes to the Council’s Absence Management Policy be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

A revision to the current Absence Management Policy had been proposed to more effectively manage long term sickness.

In accordance with the Policy, when an employee hit a long term trigger point they would be given a target date to return. In discussions with Unions it was considered by their representatives that this was potentially putting pressure on the employee to return to work earlier than necessary. Taking these concerns into account, it had been proposed to change the policy for long term absence so that this perception of any pressure was removed.

The proposed change to the Policy was therefore that employees would not be given a target date to return to work, but would instead have regular meetings with their manager where the employee’s absence would be discussed and monitored. This was set out in further detail at paragraph 4.2 in relation to the different stages associated with long term absence, up to the point of a stage three formal meeting.

A copy of the revised Policy was appended to the report. The proposals had been considered by the City of Lincoln Council Employee Joint Consultative Committee, together with the Council’s Service Manager Forum and Assistant Director Group, all of whom were supportive of implementing the proposed change.