Managing Attendance Policy - Halton and St Helens PCT

Advice should be sought from HR if adjustments cannot be made because as an organisationwe need to evidence that wherever possible reasonable adjustments are made to assist inpeople returning to work. For the more complex cases advice should be sought fromOccupational HealthIf an employee is too ill to work the doctor will advise this just like with the old MedicalCertificate or sick note.Further guidance on the Statement of Fitness for Work can be found on the intranet underHuman Resources/Wellbeing/Absence Management.In exceptional cases, at any stage of the Policy, the Trust may require staff to provide Fitnessfor Work Notes for every period of sickness. Following discussion with Human Resources, theDepartment will reimburse the employee the cost of providing such notes. The circumstanceswhen a note may be requested could be:- Regular absences of less than eight days which are not reducing sufficiently overtime. Regular absences that occur immediately prior to or after a period of annual leave orpublic holidays. Concern that there may be an underlying health problem which the employee has notbrought to the attention of their GPUse of ‘Fake’ Fitness for Work NotesFraudulent use of fit notes will be fully investigated by Mersey Internal Audit Agency (MIAA).Staff found to have submitted fake fit notes will be subject to the Trust Disciplinary Procedure.Employees undergoing Fertility TreatmentEmployees should refer to the Maternity Leave Policy. Appointments for IVF treatment will betreated in the same way as other medical appointments. Any subsequent absence due tosickness from treatment will be treated in the same way as other sick leave provision.Elective Cosmetic SurgeryThe Trust would expect staff to use annual or unpaid leave when undergoing elective cosmeticsurgery. This must be agreed in advance with your Line Manager as stipulated in the Annual orSpecial Leave Policy. Any subsequent absence due to sickness from treatment will be treated inthe same way as other sick leave provision.Infection ControlAll staff, particularly clinical staff, should be aware of their responsibilities under the variousInfection Control Policies, to reduce the risk of spreading infection when unwell.Page 14 of 31