Absence Management for Employers
Absence management advice from specialist employment lawyers in London and the South East – helping employers navigate long-term sickness and compliance challenges.
Expert legal guidance on managing absence & long-term sickness.
Absence management is one of the most sensitive – and potentially costly – areas of people management. Mishandled absence can disrupt operations, reduce morale and impact business performance. Without a structured approach, you risk:
- Legal claims – Potential issues of unfair dismissal or discrimination if absence is mishandled.
- Operational disruptions – Prolonged absence affects productivity and service delivery.
- Team strain – Employees may feel overburdened by covering for absent colleagues, leading to disengagement.
- Inconsistent policies – A lack of clear guidelines may lead to perceived inequality, resulting in disputes.
But with the right structure and expert guidance, absence can be managed fairly and proactively – protecting both your business and your people.
At Thomas Mansfield Solicitors, we help employers in London and the South East to manage sickness absence, particularly long-term illness, while mitigating risks and creating efficient, fair policies. We work closely with HR professionals and managers to develop strategies that balance legal compliance with employee support and operational needs.
Our expert guidance includes managing long-term sickness, providing reasonable adjustments, and ensuring effective return to work procedures, ensuring your approach is legally sound, tailored to your business needs and focused on productivity.
Call our employment law team on 020 4579 5997 or
Meet our employment law partners
Absence management services for employers.
We offer a comprehensive approach to absence management, supporting your HR teams, line managers, and business leaders. Our services include:
- Absence management policy development – Creating clear, legally compliant policies and procedures.
- Handling long-term sickness – Expert guidance on medical conditions, reasonable adjustments, and return to work processes.
- Legal compliance – Ensuring full compliance with employment law, including disability-related absence.
- Performance management alongside absence – Balancing performance and sickness absence for fairness and consistency.
- Support during absence reviews – Providing guidance on return-to-work interviews and ensuring fair absence reviews.
- Managing complex cases – Offering advice on situations involving overlapping grievances or health-related absences.
Why employers choose Thomas Mansfield Solicitors
- Specialist employment lawyers with expertise in absence management and compliance.
- Ranked in The Legal 500 and Lexcel accredited.
- Active members of the Employment Lawyers Association.
- Practical, tailored advice aligned with your business needs.
- Proactive strategies to minimise disruption and avoid claims.
- Offices in London and the South East – with flexible remote support available.
Is absence holding back performance in your business?
We help employers address sickness absence and attendance issues in a way that protects productivity, minimises legal risk and supports staff fairly.
- Get in touch – We start with a confidential call to understand your business, your concerns and the patterns of absence you’re facing.
- Receive tailored recommendations – From policies to manager support, we’ll outline practical steps to manage absence legally and proactively.
- Get advice that fits your organisation – Whether it’s long-term sickness, frequent short-term absence or health-related concerns, we’ll work with you to reduce disruption and maintain performance.
Speak to our specialist employment lawyers to arrange an initial consultation.
Call our employment law team on 020 4579 5997 or
Contact us
Contacting the right person couldn’t be easier. Use our form or call us to speak to an experienced employment solicitor in confidence.
Please note we do not offer legal aid or no win no fee agreements.