Sick leave
Workforce Management Glossary
Sick leave
What is sick leave?
Also known as personal leave or carer’s leave, sick leave affords employees with the ability to take time off to deal with a personal illness, caring responsibilities, or a family emergency. Employees can take both paid sick leave or unpaid sick leave.
Sick leave entitlements will vary depending on organisations and also the level of employment. For example, full-time employees are entitled to 10 paid sick days per year. For a part-time employee, any leave taken will be pro-rata.
When taking sick leave, it’s important to note that employers are entitled to ask for evidence that states that the employee is unfit to perform their normal duties. This evidence often takes the form of a certificate that is actioned by a medical professional.
What is the impact of sick leave on a business?
While each business should have a personal leave policy in place, there are instances when leave entitlements might have an impact on business. In one example, absenteeism can impact productivity levels within certain sectors of the organisation.
In another example, sick leave can impact the payroll department. Without properly documenting to the right office personnel when sick leave is taken, executing payroll can be made difficult, especially when it comes to deducting hours and actioning the right pay.
How can organisations effectively manage sick leave?
In a technology-forward working landscape, having software and also associated policies in the employee handbook that help to manage sick leave can mitigate potential risks. Rather than relying on paper trails being forwarded to the right department, employing a medium where all staff have total visibility over the roster affords a level of seamlessness.
Implementing leave management software makes sick leave management more efficient and effective across multiple organisational facets. For payroll, there is a clear mode of communication and record keeping. For employees working within the same department or team, having access to this information helps to ensure workforce optimisation.
Explore Roubler’s leave management software today.