Paul Blanchard-Flett

Occupational Health Manager

Absence and Attendance Policy

Paul Blanchard-Flett

Occupational Health Manager

Absence and Attendance Policy

Absence and Attendance PolicyAbsence and Attendance Policy

To promote positive attitude towards good attendance.  To set out the extensive support that the Service as a caring

employer are providing to employees.  To recognise and incentivise attendance at work  To identify trends and causes of absenteeism and take action.  To identify and monitor the absence levels of individuals and the

impact on the performance of the Service.

To promote positive attitude towards good attendance.  To set out the extensive support that the Service as a caring

employer are providing to employees.  To recognise and incentivise attendance at work  To identify trends and causes of absenteeism and take action.  To identify and monitor the absence levels of individuals and the

impact on the performance of the Service.

Absence and Attendance PolicyAbsence and Attendance Policy

Absence Management Procedure

Attendance Incentive Scheme

Sickness Absence and Notification

Occupational Health Services

Absence Management Procedure

Attendance Incentive Scheme

Sickness Absence and Notification

Occupational Health Services

Absence Management ProcedureAbsence Management Procedure

Firefighter Sickness Absence 1994/95

Highest UK Fire Service (cf Police)

Level of 12.3% or 19 shifts per rider

A total of 24,500 shifts lost to sickness

At today’s salary costs £4.7m - £5.6m

Firefighter Sickness Absence 1994/95

Highest UK Fire Service (cf Police)

Level of 12.3% or 19 shifts per rider

A total of 24,500 shifts lost to sickness

At today’s salary costs £4.7m - £5.6m

Absence Management ProcedureAbsence Management Procedure History

Merseyside introduced an Absence Management policy in 1993.

Monitoring using the Bradford Factor

New Policy in 1996.

Introduced days and frequency targets – Days target: more than 9 shifts/days Uniformed / more than 10 Non-Uniformed. Frequency target: more than 3 occasions in 12 months (except where days <=4).

Additional Guidance added in 1999

History Merseyside introduced an Absence Management policy in 1993.

Monitoring using the Bradford Factor

New Policy in 1996.

Introduced days and frequency targets – Days target: more than 9 shifts/days Uniformed / more than 10 Non-Uniformed. Frequency target: more than 3 occasions in 12 months (except where days <=4).

Additional Guidance added in 1999

Absence Management ProcedureAbsence Management Procedure

History

New Days/Frequency Targets 2000: Days Target – 8 shifts/days Uniformed / 10

days Non-Uniform Frequency – Rolling frequency >3 in 12

months, >5 in 24 months, >6 in 36 months. (except where <=3 days in 12 months)

History

New Days/Frequency Targets 2000: Days Target – 8 shifts/days Uniformed / 10

days Non-Uniform Frequency – Rolling frequency >3 in 12

months, >5 in 24 months, >6 in 36 months. (except where <=3 days in 12 months)

Absence Management ProcedureAbsence Management Procedure New Procedure 2006

Warnings – ACAS

Days 8 working days/shifts/retained periods

Frequency >3 absences in 12 months

Patterns and Trends Where a sickness pattern or trend is identified e.g

Summer Trends (GP certificate from day 1 and OH appointment)

New Procedure 2006

Warnings – ACAS

Days 8 working days/shifts/retained periods

Frequency >3 absences in 12 months

Patterns and Trends Where a sickness pattern or trend is identified e.g

Summer Trends (GP certificate from day 1 and OH appointment)

Attendance Incentive SchemeAttendance Incentive Scheme New Car Prize – No sickness for 12 months

£1k Prize - No Sick preceding 3 months

£50/Day Leave – Accrue based on entry in annual car draw

Attendance Certificates – 3 years Bronze, 5 Silver, 10 Gold, 15 Platinum

New Car Prize – No sickness for 12 months

£1k Prize - No Sick preceding 3 months

£50/Day Leave – Accrue based on entry in annual car draw

Attendance Certificates – 3 years Bronze, 5 Silver, 10 Gold, 15 Platinum

Attendance Incentive SchemeAttendance Incentive SchemeAttendance Incentive Preliminary DrawAttendance Incentive Preliminary Draw

Attendance Incentive SchemeAttendance Incentive SchemeAttendance Incentive Prize Draw Evening

WinnerAttendance Incentive Prize Draw Evening

Winner

Attendance Incentive SchemeAttendance Incentive Scheme

PublicityRadio Merseyside/Radio 4Liverpool EchoDaily Mirror – 3am Girls!Mention in Daily MailFirefighter - Station Cat

PublicityRadio Merseyside/Radio 4Liverpool EchoDaily Mirror – 3am Girls!Mention in Daily MailFirefighter - Station Cat

Absence and Attendance PolicyAbsence and Attendance Policy

The table below illustrates the reduction in sickness since 1994/95. The 2005/06 comparable figure is below 10,000 shifts - 60% lower.

The table below illustrates the reduction in sickness since 1994/95. The 2005/06 comparable figure is below 10,000 shifts - 60% lower.

Sickness Shifts Lost - Wholetime

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Sickness Absence NotificationSickness Absence Notification

Increased requirement for employee contact with the Service From 1st day only previously to 1st day, 4th day

and 8th day in the new procedure On the 14th day employees contact the OH

Nurse (cf Active Health Partners/DWP – Diagnostic Health Solutions 64K for MFRS)

Increased requirement for employee contact with the Service From 1st day only previously to 1st day, 4th day

and 8th day in the new procedure On the 14th day employees contact the OH

Nurse (cf Active Health Partners/DWP – Diagnostic Health Solutions 64K for MFRS)

Absence and Attendance PolicyAbsence and Attendance Policy

Incentivise attendance at work

Proactively manage sickness absence down

Engender positive attitudes about work and the Service

Incentivise attendance at work

Proactively manage sickness absence down

Engender positive attitudes about work and the Service