Sick management templates toolkit

49 editable HR templates for
£34.90
UK-specific Editable Instant download 12 months' updates

Manage sickness absence with a complete, practical set of HR templates covering absence reporting, return-to-work meetings, reviews, support and formal action — helping you follow a clear, consistent and supportive process.

Use this toolkit to:

  • Record and manage sickness absence consistently
  • Conduct effective return-to-work discussions
  • Identify absence patterns and concerns at an early stage
  • Support employees experiencing short or long-term sickness absence
  • Manage formal absence review and capability processes where appropriate

Toolkit contains:

  • Templates – absence forms, return-to-work documents, review letters, absence meeting records and related HR resources.
  • Knowledge Hub – guidance about sickness absence, a step-by-step absence process, common mistakes, employment law, ACAS guidance, best practice and FAQs.
Sick management templates toolkit
2026 Reviewed
Specifications
Templates 49 ( 6 Guides, 14 Policies, 18 Letters, 2 Forms, 7 Scripts, 2 Plans, )
Access 12 months, with updates
Jurisdiction England, Wales, Scotland
Based on UK law, ACAS guidance
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .xls · .pdf · .txt · email
When purchased
All templates Download all templates in this collection as a ZIP file Available after purchase
Contents
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Managers guide to absence improvement

Our absence improvement guide offers insights and strategies for improving employee attendance and reducing absenteeism.

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Managers guide to identifying absence patterns

A practical manager’s guide to identifying absence patterns, exploring root causes, and supporting employees fairly and consistently.

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Managers guide to managing long term sick absence

This guide provides guidance on managing employees on long-term sick leave, including understanding legal obligations, conducting effective communication, implementing reasonable adjustments, and exploring return-to-work options.

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Managers guide to managing short term sick absence

Managers guide to managing short term sick absence, covering absence reporting, return to work meetings, absence patterns, support and HR action.

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Managers guide to Reducing sickness absence

Manager's guide to reducing sickness absence covering attendance management, return-to-work meetings, employee support, absence patterns, reasonable adjustments and further action.

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Managers guide to return to work interviews

This guide provides guidance on conducting effective return to work (RTW) interviews after periods of absence, helping managers gather relevant information, address any concerns or barriers, and facilitate a smooth transition back to work.

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Absence improvement policy

Our Absence Improvement Policy template is designed to support a healthier work environment by helping you to combat absenteeism, ensure fairness, and boost productivity.

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Alternative absence policy

Our Alternative Absence Policy Template streamlines managing non-holiday/sickness absences, fostering fairness and reducing disruptions.

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Annual leave policy

Our Annual Leave Policy template simplifies time-off requests, ensures fair allocation, and fosters a well-rested workforce for better productivity.

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Buying or selling annual leave policy

Use this model policy to detail the rules and arrangements for a scheme that allows your employees to buy or sell annual leave.

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Career break policy

A practical career break policy template that supports extended employee leave while balancing organisational needs.

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Carers Leave policy

Our Carers Leave Policy outlines entitlements and procedures, offering support and flexibility for employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) policy

Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Policy Template ensures employees have access to professional support, fostering a positive and resilient workforce.

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Jury Service policy

Our Jury Service Policy Template ensures clarity and fairness in managing employee obligations and rights during jury service.

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Parental bereavement leave policy

Our Parental Bereavement Leave Policy Template offers compassionate support, helping employees cope with loss while maintaining work-life balance.

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Sabbatical policy

Our Sabbatical Policy Template empowers employees to take a break for personal growth, reducing burnout and enhancing long-term productivity.

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Sick absence policy

Sick absence policy template for UK employers covering sickness reporting, fit notes, absence reviews, return to work, long-term absence and employee support.

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Time off for dependants policy

Our Time Off for Dependants Policy Template aids employees during family emergencies, ensuring compassionate support without work worries.

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Timekeeping policy

Our Timekeeping Policy Template promotes punctuality, accountability, and efficient workflow management for a more productive work environment.

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Unauthorised absence (AWOL) policy

Our Unauthorised Absence Policy Template tackles absenteeism, enforces accountability, and maintains a productive work culture.

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Absence review meeting invitation letter

Absence Review Meeting Invitation Letter for UK employers to review sickness absence, attendance concerns, medical information and possible next steps.

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Concern about absence letter

Our Concern about absence Letter template is used to notify an employee that you have a concern over their level of absence, that may warrant disciplinary action should it happen again.

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End of Company Sick Pay (CSP) entitlement confirmation letter

Our End of Company Sick Pay confirmation Letter Template notifies employees of the cessation of company sick pay, maintaining transparency and clarity in benefits communication.

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End of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) entitlement confirmation letter

A clear template to formally confirm the end of an employee’s statutory sick pay entitlement, ensuring compliance and clarity.

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Fit note first request letter

Our Fit Note First Request Letter Template streamlines the process of requesting a fit note from an employee, ensuring compliance with UK employment regulations.

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Fit note second request letter

Our Fit Note Second Request Letter Template helps efficiently address unsubmitted fit notes, ensuring timely completion.

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Long term absence dismissal letter

Long term absence dismissal letter for UK employers confirming capability dismissal, medical evidence, reasonable adjustments, notice, final pay and appeal rights.

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Long term sick absence review meeting invitation letter

Our Long Term Sick Absence Review Meeting Invitation Letter template invites employees to a meeting to discuss extended absences, ensuring a supportive and structured approach.

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Medical report consent request to employee letter

If you need to contact an employee's GP to obtain a medical report, issue this model letter to request their consent.

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Medical report request to GP letter

If you need a medical report from an employee's GP for guidance on their condition or capability, send this model request letter template.

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Requirement for employee to take annual leave letter

Our requirement for employee to take annual leave letter template ensures employees use their full annual leave entitlement within a specified period to comply with legal obligations.

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Short term absence review meeting outcome letter

Short-term absence review meeting outcome letter for UK employers to confirm sickness absence discussions, support, attendance expectations and next steps.

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SSP1 cover letter

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Suspension on medical grounds letter

Suspension on Medical Grounds Letter for UK employers to confirm health and safety suspension, pay arrangements, medical assessment, review and return to work.

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Sympathy for illness (employee at home) letter

Our Sympathy for Illness (Employee at Home) Letter template expresses support and care for employees facing illness at home, maintaining a compassionate tone.

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Sympathy for illness (employee in hospital) letter

Our Sympathy for Illness (Employee in Hospital) Letter template extends sincere support to employees hospitalized due to illness, offering understanding and comfort.

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Termination of employment (long term sick) letter

Our Termination of Employment (Long-Term Sick) Letter template communicates the termination due to extended sickness, maintaining professionalism and clarity in the process.

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Uncertified sick leave letter

Use this model uncertified sick leave letter to request that an employee submits a medical note for their absence, and highlight that their sick leave is unauthorised without it.

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Medical report consent form

To be completed by the subject of the request and returned to the employer.

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Return to work interview form

Return to work interview form for UK employers to record sickness absence discussions, employee wellbeing, support, adjustments and return-to-work actions.

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Absence review meeting script

Our Absence Review Meeting Script Template facilitates constructive discussions, identifying causes and solutions for improved attendance.

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Concern about absence meeting script

Our concern about absence meeting script template guides managers through structured conversations with employees about their attendance, aiming to understand the reasons behind their absences and collaboratively develop a plan for improvement.

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Concern about lateness or timekeeping meeting script

Concern about lateness or timekeeping meeting script for managers covering attendance concerns, employee explanations, agreed improvements, support and follow-up arrangements.

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Long term sick absence review meeting script

Long-term sick absence review meeting script for UK employers.

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Long term sick absence review meeting invitation script

Our Long Term Sick Absence Review Meeting Invitation Script Template streamlines the process, ensuring timely and sensitive communication with employees.

UK-specific Editable Instant download 12 months' updates
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Pre-consent notification for medical report request email script

Our Pre-Consent Notification For Medical Report Request Email script template simplifies the process of obtaining consent, ensuring clear and compliant communication.

UK-specific Editable Instant download 12 months' updates
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Return to work interview script

Return to work interview script for UK employers, helping managers discuss sickness absence, wellbeing, support, reasonable adjustments and a successful return to work.

UK-specific Editable Instant download 12 months' updates
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Absence improvement checklist

Our Absence Improvement Checklist Form Template streamlines tracking and managing employee absences, enhancing productivity and reducing absenteeism.

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Long term sick absence management plan

Our Long Term Sick Absence Management Plan Template facilitates structured support for employees on extended sick leave, ensuring consistent management practices.

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Knowledge Hub

Sick management

More than just templates, the Sick management Knowledge Hub brings together practical HR guidance, real-world experience and tried-and-tested resources to help you understand the subject, manage it effectively and make informed decisions.

Explore the knowledge below

What is sick absence?

Sick absence refesr to the presence or absence of employees during scheduled working hours due to illness or health-related reasons. 

Sick management templates are essential for managing a low-risk, compliant Sick management process.

How Should Sickness Absence Be Managed?

A sick management process provides a structured way to manage employee sickness absence and support a return to work. It will typically follow these key stages:

1
Notification The employee reports their sickness absence in line with the required procedure.
2
Recording The absence is accurately recorded and monitored.
3
Review The absence and any underlying issues are discussed appropriately.
4
Support Appropriate medical, workplace or other support is considered.
5
Return The employee returns to work and ongoing attendance is reviewed.

Absence management is not just about attendance. The approach should consider the reasons for absence and any appropriate support.

Common mistakes

Understand the common mistakes employers can make when managing this area of HR, helping you reduce risk, prevent unnecessary costs and ensure the process is handled fairly, consistently and correctly.

What is a typical sick management process workflow?

Here we show you which resources to use to effectively address an emerging absence concern, taking into account the different decisions and directions that are likely / possible.

Following this flowchart will ensure that you factor in all eventualities, follow legal / code of conduct or best practice processes, communicate effectively, and reduce the risk of things going wrong.

Absence review meeting invitation letter template
Absence review meeting script

Option A
Concern about absence letter
To continue, purchase this item or a parent bundle.
Option B
Long term sick absence management plan
To continue, purchase this item or a parent bundle.
Option C
Short term absence review meeting outcome letter
To continue, purchase this item or a parent bundle.
Option D
Termination of employment (long term sick) letter
To continue, purchase this item or a parent bundle.
Compliance

UK employment law and best practice

This toolkit is designed to support Sick management, but its resources should be used alongside the relevant HR policies and procedures and applied to the circumstances of each individual case. Always consider the specific facts, your organisation's processes and the applicable employment law before taking action.

Sickness absence should be managed fairly, consistently and with appropriate consideration of the employee's circumstances. The documents in this toolkit are designed to support absence management and should be used alongside your organisation's absence procedure.

Reporting and recording absence

Employers should have clear arrangements for reporting sickness absence and maintain accurate records. Employees should understand who to notify and what information is required. https://www.acas.org.uk/absence-from-work

Short-term and long-term absence

Employers should distinguish between different patterns of absence and respond appropriately. Long-term or recurring absence may require additional medical information, occupational health input or a capability process.

Disability and reasonable adjustments

Where an employee has a disability, employers should consider whether reasonable adjustments are required. Disability-related absence may require a different approach from ordinary attendance management. https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

Statutory sick pay

Employers should ensure statutory sick pay and any contractual sick pay arrangements are administered correctly and kept up to date with current rules. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

FAQs

What is sickness absence management?

Sickness absence management is the process of supporting employees who are absent because of illness while maintaining appropriate attendance and business arrangements.

Should employers hold return-to-work meetings?

Return-to-work discussions can help employers understand the reason for an absence, identify support needs and ensure records are accurate.

When should sickness absence be reviewed?

The timing depends on the circumstances, length and frequency of absence and the employer's policies. Formal reviews may be appropriate where absence becomes prolonged or frequent.

Can employers ask for medical evidence?

Employers can request appropriate medical evidence in certain circumstances, subject to applicable rules and the employee's rights.

Can sickness absence lead to formal action?

In some circumstances, prolonged or persistent absence may lead to a formal capability or absence management process. Employers should consider the individual circumstances and appropriate support.

Why use HRDocBox to support sickness management?

HRDocBox combines real-world HR experience, subject-matter expertise and commercial understanding to support effective sickness management with practical, tried-and-tested resources. With instant access, editable documents, ongoing updates and 12 months' access, you get practical HR support when you need it.

How this content is developed and reviewed

The Sick management templates toolkit is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates and supporting information are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing sick management HR processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

RB
Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
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