Sickness and absence

Notification of absence

You should let your manager (or agreed alternative, e.g. Faculty Office) know if you are ill and unable to come to work on the first day of absence.
Where possible this should be within one hour of your normal starting time.
Sufficient details should be given on the telephone regarding the nature of the illness or injury to give some indication as to when a return to work is expected.
It is also important for employees to keep in regular contact with their Managers thereafter if the absence is for more than one day.
You should ensure that you are aware of and follow any reporting procedures your department has in place.

If the period of absence is between 0.5 - 7 calendar days, you should complete the combined self-certification (see section below) on your return to work.
If the absence is for more than 7 calendar days (inclusive of Saturdays and Sundays), then in addition to the self-certification form, you must provide a ‘fit note’ (previously called a ‘sick note’) from your Doctor.

Payment during sickness absence is as detailed within your terms and conditions of service (Grades 1-5 entitlement is based upon your length of service).
You will be given Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for 28 weeks depending on your weekly earnings.
SSP is included when you are paid your full salary. When you receive half pay, SSP will be paid on top.
If your pay is due to change, e.g. reducing to half pay, then you will receive notification in writing
It should be noted that when calculating periods of full pay and half pay, any sickness absences in the preceding 12 month period are taken into consideration.

When you return to work you should have a return to work meeting with your manager.
This allows opportunity to discuss the absence and any work updates required.
If you have been on long term absence it may be recommended that you return to work on a phased basis, which would be arranged in consultation with you line manager and OH.
Return to work self-certification