| Employees get sick; there is just no getting away from | | | | looking for replacements you will probably want to first |
| this. This can be a huge headache for those handling | | | | ring around those members of staff who have the |
| employee sick days when it comes to scheduling. It | | | | day-off to see if any are willing to come into work; if |
| could mean a morning frantically phoning around looking | | | | you are able to offer overtime money then this will |
| for cover or leaving an understaffed shift to struggle | | | | likely encourage some to volunteer. It is usually only the |
| along and trying to do the best they can. Handling | | | | first day sick that is hard to cover because if the |
| employee sick days can mean completely rearranging | | | | person is going to be off for a few days you will likely |
| a schedule that has taken hours to produce, and | | | | be able to juggle around with the schedule to fill the |
| upsetting other staff because their shifts need to be | | | | gaps. Sometimes handling employee sick days will |
| changed. Of course, the important thing is that the | | | | involve bringing in agency staff or freelancers. This is |
| staff member has the time to recuperate from their | | | | not always ideal because it can be expensive and |
| illness, but it is still not easy for those left to take the | | | | showing somebody new the ropes can mean a bit of |
| slack. | | | | extra work. |
| When handling employee sick days it is important to | | | | It is almost certain that your business will have its own |
| always try and get the staff member replaced for the | | | | sick leave policy and other rules about handling |
| shifts they were working. The only exception to this | | | | employee sick days. We won't go into these in too |
| will be when the shift was overstaffed anyway, but | | | | much detail here only to mention that employees |
| this shouldn't really happen if scheduling has been done | | | | usually have certain legal rights in regards to these |
| effectively. It is not a good idea to just leave a shift | | | | days off for illness. You may require them to produce |
| understaffed because this can mean staff becoming | | | | a medical certificate for this, but this will depend on |
| overworked and stressed and likely lead to more | | | | your company policy. Despite the disruption caused by |
| work handling employee sick days as more fall by the | | | | handling employee sick days it is important that the |
| wayside. Finding replacement staff can be a real | | | | issue is handled delicately. If it is happening too often |
| nightmare, but it has to be done. If the staff member is | | | | with the same employee then it would be |
| a key-working with important skills that are needed for | | | | recommended that they have their case reviewed by |
| the shift then finding a replacement is going to be even | | | | your occupational health department. In most instances |
| more difficult. | | | | though, staff will only need a few days to recuperate |
| When you are handling employee sick days and | | | | and will soon be back on their feet. |