1. Occupational Health Manager
Paul Blanchard-Flett
Occupational Health Manager
Absence and Attendance Policy

2. Absence and Attendance Policy
To promote positive attitude towards good attendance.
To set out the extensive support that the Service as a caring employer are providing to employees.
To recognise and incentivise attendance at work
To identify trends and causes of absenteeism and take action.
To identify and monitor the absence levels of individuals and the impact on the performance of the Service.

3. Absence and Attendance Policy
Absence Management Procedure
Attendance Incentive Scheme
Sickness Absence and Notification
Occupational Health Services

4. Absence Management Procedure
Firefighter Sickness Absence 1994/95
Highest UK Fire Service (cf Police)
Level of 12.3% or 19 shifts per rider
A total of 24,500 shifts lost to sickness
At today’s salary costs £4.7m - £5.6m

5. Absence Management Procedure
History
Merseyside introduced an Absence Management policy in 1993.
Monitoring using the Bradford Factor
New Policy in 1996.
Introduced days and frequency targets – Days target: more than 9 shifts/days Uniformed / more than 10 Non-Uniformed. Frequency target: more than 3 occasions in 12 months (except where days <=4).
Additional Guidance added in 1999

6. Absence Management Procedure
History
New Days/Frequency Targets 2000:
Days Target – 8 shifts/days Uniformed / 10 days Non-Uniform
Frequency – Rolling frequency >3 in 12 months, >5 in 24 months, >6 in 36 months. (except where <=3 days in 12 months)

7. Absence Management Procedure
New Procedure 2006
Warnings – ACAS
Days
8 working days/shifts/retained periods
Frequency
>3 absences in 12 months
Patterns and Trends
Where a sickness pattern or trend is identified e.g Summer Trends (GP certificate from day 1 and OH appointment)

8. Attendance Incentive Scheme
New Car Prize – No sickness for 12 months
£1k Prize - No Sick preceding 3 months
£50/Day Leave – Accrue based on entry in annual car draw
Attendance Certificates – 3 years Bronze, 5 Silver, 10 Gold, 15 Platinum

9. Attendance Incentive Scheme
Attendance Incentive Preliminary Draw

10. Attendance Incentive Scheme
Attendance Incentive Prize Draw Evening Winner

11. Attendance Incentive Scheme
Publicity
Radio Merseyside/Radio 4
Liverpool Echo
Daily Mirror – 3am Girls!
Mention in Daily Mail
Firefighter - Station Cat

12. Absence and Attendance Policy
The table below illustrates the reduction in sickness since 1994/95.
The 2005/06 comparable figure is below 10,000 shifts - 60% lower.

13. Sickness Absence Notification
Increased requirement for employee contact with the Service
From 1st day only previously to 1st day, 4th day and 8th day in the new procedure
On the 14th day employees contact the OH Nurse (cf Active Health Partners/DWP – Diagnostic Health Solutions 64K for MFRS)

14. Absence and Attendance Policy
Incentivise attendance at work
Proactively manage sickness absence down
Engender positive attitudes about work and the Service