Absence management
Employee absences can be a sensitive and complex issue for both employee and employers, particularly when they involve health concerns, personal circumstances, or reoccurring non-attendance. Managing these situations requires careful consideration of the rights and obligations of both parties.
What do we do?
Our expert lawyers provide legal and practical support with all aspects of absence management, helping both individuals and businesses manage employee attendance fairly, consistently and in compliance with the applicable UAE free-zone and mainland employment law. Our expertise includes advising on the following topics:
- short-term and long-term sickness,
- reoccurring or persistent absence,
- unauthorised absence,
- medical certificate requirements,
- return-to-work processes,
- workplace adjustments,
- employee rights and entitlements in respect to absences,
- capability concerns,
- disciplinary issues arising from lack of attendance.
We can help to protect businesses by ensuring that effective absence management policies and processes are in place and are correctly utilised. Having clear policies in place will help to deal with absence from work in a fair and consistent manner and sets out clearly for employees what is expected from them in terms of communication and behaviour. Our experts can guide you through the process so that the employee is dealt with fairly and sensitively, while the interests of the business are also protected.
Who do we help?
We work with organisations of all sizes, typically working closely with HR, people teams or senior executives and business owners.