10 tips for managing long-term absence

Long-term absence is an issue that arises for all HR departments, irrespective of size.  

Speaking to HR Grapevine, James Griffiths, Group Chief HR Officer at Sepura, spoke about how to manage this issue.

“Several years ago I had a PA who had had a major operation," he said. "She was absent from work for three months. We’d spoken regularly on the phone, and met in person several times while she was away, so I was quite surprised when she asked if I could meet her in the car park and walk her into the building on her first day back at work.

“I wondered why; she had worked with us for many years and was well-known and well-liked throughout the business. But she was scared. Despite her history with the company, she felt like a new employee that was just joining the business.