How to set absence triggers and targets

Author: Claire Watt

Summary

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• Understand the difference between an absence trigger and an absence target.
• Be aware that accurately measuring and monitoring absence is a crucial part of any effective absence management system.
• Decide how to measure sickness absence, bearing in mind any limitations of the different methods.
• Identify who will be responsible for gathering sickness absence data and how this will be processed.
• Using existing absence data, set appropriate absence triggers for the organisation and establish a process for flagging when a trigger has been reached.
• Taking into account absence rates within the organisation, decide if an absence target is required and, if it is, what that target should be.
• Consider how the absence triggers and any targets will be communicated to employees.
• Ensure that line managers are equipped with the relevant skills and are following the absence management procedure.

• Review the approach to setting triggers and targets regularly to ensure they are effective in driving the desired outcomes.