Key Date	Reasonability of Employee
On the first day of absence	An employee must notify their Line Manager (or HR Department if Line Manager is not available) as soon as possible on the first day of absence, stating the reason for the absence and the probable date of return. The employee should also notify the Line Manager of any work commitments that need to be rearranged.
On the fourth calendar day of absence	Where an employee is absent from work on the fourth calendar day (e.g. including Saturday and Sunday) the employee must again notify the Line Manager, on the next working day of their continued ill health reconfirming the reason for the absence and the probable date of return.
Continuing sickness	Where the absence is prolonged, the employee must submit medical certificates (fit notes) to their Line Manager as soon as possible covering all periods of absence (except the first seven calendar days for which the employee can complete the appropriate self-certification documentation). Where there is delay in submission the employee should notify the Line Manager immediately. Failure to submit medical certificate(s) in a timely manner, (without reasonable justification) may lead to suspension of sick pay.

When you return to work from short term sickness absence you must complete a sickness absence form. This can be found on eBis.

For the first 18 months of continuous College employment an individual will qualify for payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) only. For further information on the rules regarding the payment of SSP please refer to www.gov.uk. Individuals receiving this payment must still comply with the notification process.

Following the completion of 18 months continuous employment individuals will receive occupational sick pay as follows:-

First Day of Absence	Maximum Period of Full Occupational Pay	Maximum Period of Half Occupational Pay
Over 18 months and up to 4 years	1 month	2 months
Over 4 years and up to 6 years	2 months	4 months
Over 6 years and up to 8 years	3 months	6 months
Over 8 years	4 months	8 months

Long-term absences are generally defined as being four weeks or longer or where the date of the person returning to work is unclear. You must submit medical certificates (fit notes) to your Line Manager as soon as possible covering all periods of absence (except the first seven calendar days for which a sickness absence form can be completed).

The Line Manager and HR Representative will meet an employee on long term sick as necessary. The purpose of these meetings will be to:

• discuss the prevailing medical opinion in respect of the employee’s condition;
• identify a date of return to work within a reasonable timeframe;
• highlight and discuss any reasonable adjustments to the working environment
• keep the employee abreast of any work-related developments;
• identify any additional support and assistance that can be provided to the employee.

The table below details the triggers for action for Stage 1, 2 and 3, from short term sickness absence:

Stages	"Trigger" for formal action
Stage One	Three or more separate occasions or has a total of 12 or more days in any six-month period (calculated on a rolling basis).
Stage Two	If after a Stage 1 Meeting subsequent absences occur for a further two or more separate occasions or which totals 10 or more days in any six-month period (calculated on a rolling basis).
Stage Three	If after a Stage 2 Meeting subsequent absences occur for a further two or more separate occasions or which totals 8 or more days in any six-month period (calculated on a rolling basis).

The College offers a wide range of Support Mechanisms, including:

• Occupational Health
• Confidential Counselling Services
• Physiotherapy Sessions
• Health and Safety
• Complementary Therapies and Managing stress at work.

Further details of these support services can be found in the College's Sickness Absence Policy.