Managing Sickness Absence

When sickness absence is left unmanaged, it affects productivity, disrupts teams, and creates legal risk. We provide clear, compliant support from policy design to capability procedures and litigation.

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Managing Sickness Absence

Sickness absence and capability policies

We draft clear, practical policies that follow UK law and reflect your workplace. They support fair decisions and help you manage absence consistently.

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Day-to-day support for managers and HR

Straightforward advice on handling fit notes, keeping in touch during absence, planning phased returns, and making reasonable adjustments.

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Medical advice and occupational health

Guiding you through getting expert medical input. We help you understand the reports and use them to make confident, well-reasoned decisions.

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Disability and reasonable adjustments

We assess whether the Equality Act applies, suggest proportionate changes, and help you support sustainable attendance while reducing legal risk.

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Capability procedures and documentation

Plan and run fair processes, draft letters, scripts and outcomes, and maintain accurate, defensible records.

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ACAS and Employment Tribunal representation

We support you from early ACAS involvement through to final Tribunal hearings, including claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract claims.

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Questions we’re often asked

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When can we start a formal capability process?

After reasonable investigation, medical input, support, and adjustments have been considered.

Can we dismiss one of our employees for long-term sickness?

Yes, if you follow a fair process and properly assess medical evidence, adjustments and other options.

What’s a reasonable adjustment?

Any change that helps someone work: fewer hours, different duties, equipment, a phased return, or a new policy.

Do we need consent to get medical reports?

Yes. Obtain informed consent and comply with the access to medical reports legislation.

How often should we contact someone off sick?

Agree a contact plan early on. Keep in touch sensitively, without adding pressure.

What should a fit note include and how should we use it?

Check what it says about fitness or adjustments, and use it to plan a safe and supported return to work.

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Georgia was incredibly helpful throughout the process of reaching a settlement with a previous employer. Georgia took the time to understand my personal situation and provided clear, considerate, and professional guidance at every stage. Her support made a complex process much easier to navigate, and I felt reassured knowing I was in capable hands.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Chris is a great listener, clear communicator and, in my opinion, a genuinely good, kind human being. I have no hesitation in recommending Blacks in Leeds for any legal matters you may have; you'll be in good hands.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

I have dealt with Chris Allen recently concerning some rather upsetting and extremely delicate matters. Chris and the team have proved to be reassuring, down to earth and absolute consummate professionals.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Blacks helped us think beyond the sessions by supporting us to consider how the legislative changes translate into day to day behaviours and what this means for our culture in anticipation for our policy to be launched. This has supported follow on training delivery internally surrounding misogyny, misogynoir and trans-misogyny.

Employment Training Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

We had an excellent experience working with Blacks. From the moment we reached out to request training, they responded quickly and took the time to meet with us early on to understand our needs and the wider organisational context. They were patient and flexible as we worked through our planning.

Employment Training Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Ellie was absolutely amazing through the whole process. She made me feel at ease and was very efficient at replying to my emails and queries. I would also like to say a thank you to Jemma who was the first one I engaged with and made me feel comfortable and less anxious.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

I worked with Tom during a very stressful and time-sensitive settlement, and I’m genuinely so grateful for his support. From the start, he was calm, practical and incredibly thorough, which made a huge difference at a point when everything felt overwhelming.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

The service was 11 out of 10! Ellie kept me on the straight and narrow. She navigated the legal side and the emotional side incredibly well. She advised me brilliantly and I couldn’t be happier with that

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Euan Lawrence helped me with a HR issue with a former employee, and I was extremely impressed by his professionalism and the clarity of his advice in translating complex legal ease for the less legally minded individuals such as myself – I would fully recommend.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Outstanding service from start to finish. The team’s work rate, speed of response, and legal knowledge were second to none. They consistently went above and beyond to get things done efficiently and with care. Special thanks to Richard P and Pete K for their exceptional support – true professionals!

Blacks Client

Experts in every area

Managing Partner

Ellie Broadhurst

Associate Solicitor

Jemma Fieldsend

Georgia Jeonney

Partner and Head of Employment

Graduate Solicitor Apprentice

Partner and Head of Employment

Anna Schiavetta

Senior Associate Solicitor

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