Short-term absence: Guide for people professionals

Short-term sickness absence is one of the main reasons for unplanned absence in the workplace and can be challenging for people professionals to deal with. The CIPD/Simplyhealth 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work survey found that employee sickness absence is at the highest level for over a decade, at 9.4 days per employee, per year. 

The report also shows that line managers take primary responsibility for managing short-term absence in 70% of organisations. Since 6 April 2026 the Employment Rights Act 2025 has given employees the right to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from day one of illness (rather than day four) and removed the Lower Earnings Limit.

This means people professionals should ensure that up-to-date policies and procedures are in place and that line managers understand them. Guidance should be available to enable short-term absence to be reviewed on a consistent, case-by-case basis.

An organisational strategy that helps to prevent poor health and wellbeing will also help to reduce sickness absence. It will also improve employee morale, boost productivity and, ultimately, save the organisation money.

This guide provides practical advice to people professionals, ensuring policies and procedures are in place so employees are well supported to return to work after a short-term absence.