Attendance Management

Effective attendance management is vital for maintaining a productive workforce whilst supporting employee wellbeing. This pillar provides guidance on how workplaces can adopt a preventative and supportive approach to managing staff absences. The focus is on creating policies and processes that assist unwell employees in returning to work in a constructive and supportive manner.

Assessors will look at measures in place to improving employee attendance levels and supporting colleagues absent on sick leave both during their absence and in the context of their return to work.

There are three performance levels for each of the standards within the KeepWell Mark: Commitment, Achievement, and Excellence. To be accredited with the KeepWell Mark, the commitment level will need to be met for all 8 pillars. Once a company reaches commitment level, they can work towards reaching a higher level at their own pace and with guidance from our team of experts.

Commitment level

For companies that are starting out, the commitment level can act as a useful checklist to ensure legal obligations are met. There are six standards that need to be met to obtain the commitment level for attendance management. The topic guide that members receive gives insights and recommendations to assist in achieving this. An example of a standard and the required evidence can be seen below.

Standard: Documented return-to-work procedures are in place and followed.

Evidence: Guidance exists within policy, examples of return-to-work interventions are available (e.g. anonymised records of GP or Occupational Health measures that have been recommended).

Achievement level

Having put the buildings blocks in place, companies that meet a further three standards can reach the achievement level.

Standard: Absence rates and causes are collected and monitored.

Evidence: There is a suitable system in place to record absence rates for each individual, each department, and the organisation, detailing the length of each absence, the frequency of absences, whether medically certified or not and the reasons for each absence (where appropriate and/or this information is made available).

Excellence level

To continue to build workplace wellbeing and by meeting an additional three standards, a company can work towards the excellence level, the highest achievement possible.

Standard: Attendance management policies and procedures are reviewed with employee representatives or employee forums/focus groups on a regular basis.

Evidence: Attendance management policy/procedures have been reviewed within at least the past two years, following engagement with employees. Evidence can include: review protocols, agenda and minutes of review meetings.

The Next Steps

The KeepWell Mark is the benchmark for national standards of workplace wellbeing in Ireland and the standards, guidance and resources to support understanding and implementation of these standards.

Benchmark your organisation by taking our free mini assessment or contact us to receive more information.