Wellbeing policies and guidance

In this section, you will find supportive information and guidance which encourages you to be consistent and use a person-centred approach when managing an employee's absence. The tools on this page assist you to make sure you are prioritising wellbeing, whilst being proactive, flexible, and creative.

Further information and guidance on how you can support an employee's health and wellbeing.

This procedure is designed to support managers and employees who are absent from work. The aim is to ensure absences are managed consistently; using a person centred approach, prioritising wellbeing, and encourage you to be proactive, whilst applying creativity and flexibility to help an employee return to work and maintain sustainable attendance thereafter.

Absence Procedure (DOC 97KB)

Fire Service Wellbeing and Absence Pages

The purpose of this guidance is so you, as the manager/headteacher, can understand what support is available to you to create a healthy working environment 

Managing Wellbeing (DOC 621KB)

Occupational Health Service 

Please visit Support and Resources Page for further information and support with the following:

  • Stress Management
  • Alcohol and Substance Abuse
  • Bereavement
  • Dementia Toolkit
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Dyslexia
  • Employee Passport
  • Financial Wellbeing
  • Loneliness
  • Mental Health
  • Men's Health
  • Macmillian Cancer Support
  • Menopause
  • Neurodiversity
  • Sexual Health
  • Neurodiversity
  • Women's Health

The purpose of this guidance is so you, as the manager/headteacher, can understand how to manage an employee's absence consistently, and to provide support to employees to make health and wellbeing improvements, enabling employees to return to work and maintain sustainable attendance thereafter.

Managing Absence Consistently Guidance (DOC 626KB)

The wellbeing and absence procedure is based on a set of five guiding principles, as follows:

  1. Person Centred 
  2. Prioritising Wellbeing 
  3. Proactive 
  4. Flexible and Creative 
  5. Consistent

These principles have been introduced to recognise the unique challenges you may face when supporting the health and wellbeing of an employee. It is important to recognise each employee may require different support to maintain high levels of wellbeing and sustainable attendance.

In the procedure, consistency means applying the other four guiding principles equally to all employees. This could mean the same actions do not need to be applied to all cases. 

You are encouraged to use your own initiative to support an employee with their absence. Where you have any queries on how to apply the above principles consistently, please contact People Management/HR Provider for further advice and guidance. 

Short Term Absence (DOC 84KB)

Return to Work (DOC 74KB)

Managing Wellbeing (DOC 73KB)

Managing Absence Consistently (DOC 78KB)

Occupational Health Service 

Please visit Support and Resources Page for further information and support facilities

The wellbeing and absence procedure is based on a set of five guiding principles, as follows:

  1. Person Centred 
  2. Prioritising Wellbeing 
  3. Proactive 
  4. Flexible and Creative 
  5. Consistent

These principles have been introduced to recognise the unique challenges you may face when supporting the health and wellbeing of an employee. It is important to recognise each employee may require different support to maintain high levels of wellbeing and sustainable attendance.

In the procedure, consistency means applying the other four guiding principles equally to all employees. This could mean the same actions do not need to be applied to all cases. 

You are encouraged to use your own initiative to support an employee with their absence. Where you have any queries on how to apply the above principles consistently, please contact People Management/HR Provider for further advice and guidance. 

Long Term Absence (DOC 82KB)

Return to Work (DOC 74KB)

Managing Wellbeing (DOC 73KB)

Managing Absence Consistently (DOC 78KB)

Occupational Health Service 

Please visit Support and Resources Page for further information and support facilities

The purpose of this guidance is so you, as the manager/headteacher, can understand the process of welcoming an employee back to work after a period of absence, and to provide support to employees to make health and wellbeing improvements, enabling employees to return to work and maintain sustainable attendance thereafter.

Return to Work (DOC 74KB)

Managing Wellbeing (DOC 73KB)

Occupational Health Service 

Please visit Support and Resources Page for further information and support facilities

This guidance to support managers and employees on the implementation and management of industrial injuries and associated entitlement. You should read this in conjunction with the Absence Procedure. It applies to all employees of the Council covered by Green Book conditions of service.

Other provisions exist for employees on Grey Book and Burgundy Book terms and conditions.  Please refer to the relevant books for further information.

Industrial Injury (DOC)

Short Term Absence (DOC 84KB)

Long Term Absence (DOC 82KB)

Return to Work (DOC 74KB)

Managing Wellbeing (DOC 73KB)

Managing Absence Consistently (DOC 78KB)

Occupational Health Service

All accidents and incidents must be reported. Please visit Health and Safety - accident and incident reporting and investigation page.

Please visit Support and Resources Page for further information and support facilities.

The Occupational Health service carry out pre-employment medical screening, deal with fitness for work referrals, advise on workplace adjustments and undertake a number of health assessments specific to particular jobs.

Occupational Health Service

This procedure enhances the support and assistance available to disabled employees. Disability leave is paid time off work which may be granted where an employee is absent as a result of their disability, but for reasons other than sickness.

Disability Leave Procedure (DOC 107KB)

Disability Leave Form (DOC 189KB)

This guidance provides clarification on the existing Directed Medical Absence procedure. Directed Medical Absence allows an employee to be absent on full pay with their sick pay entitlement not affected if the employee wants to return to work, but this is deemed a hazard.

Directed Medical Absence Guidance (DOC 76KB)


This Guidance aims to provide information to managers so they can support employees who are absent without leave.

AWOL guidance (DOC 221KB)

AWOL Guidance (Including Letters)