The Trust has established a dedicated Attendance Management Team to ensure that all colleagues are able to make the most effective contribution, individually and collectively, to improving the services that the Trust provides.

The new team (pictured) became operational in October 2015. The team is now fully resourced and members are currently working with Line Managers and the Occupational Health Department to ensure colleagues receive the appropriate support when they are unable to report for work due to sickness absence.

Based in the Workforce and Organisational Development Directorate in Acre Mill, the team is led by Diane Marshall, Human Resources Manager, assisted by Jackie Goodwin and Amrit Kaur, Human Resources Advisors and supported by Aideen Beirne, Human Resources Administrator.

The Executive Board recently ratified changes to the Attendance Management Policy on 22 October 2015 after agreement was reached with staff side colleagues on the content. All colleagues are advised to familiarise themselves with these changes and how they may affect you. The policy can be viewed here.  

The team have been  developing their intranet portal to include a range of support tools including frequently asked questions, key policy points, ‘how to do’ videos and a ‘one stop’ shop for template forms and letters and more general information guides.  

Working closely with the Occupational Health Department the team will support the workforce wellbeing strategy to provide a healthy working environment and workforce. It is anticipated that a range of service to support colleagues to achieve better health will be introduced shortly.

 Deputy Director of Workforce and Organisational Development, Jason Eddleston, said: “The Trust strives to improve the quality of working life for colleagues by providing a healthy, supportive work environment and placing a high emphasis on the wellbeing of all our employees. Managing sickness absence and improving sickness absence rates is an indicator of creating both a healthier and more efficient workplace. The aim is to reduce sickness absence levels wherever possible and to drive overall sickness rates to below 4%’’.

If you would like to contact a member of the team or require any support or guidance please visit the attendance management portal by clicking here

Alternatively if you have any suggestions on how we can improve the working life and environment for colleagues or reduce our current absence levels please e-mail the attendance management team here.