Absences and lateness

It’s likely that there will be times when you’re unexpectedly unable to work, for example due to illness or an emergency involving a dependant. Occasionally, there may also be times when you’re running late for an assignment. In these situations, the following rules and procedures apply.

Notification procedure

Ask your recruitment agency to confirm what you should do if you’re ever unable to come to work or are delayed getting there. Find out who to contact, how to contact them and when. We recommend saving these details on your phone. Follow your agency’s procedures whenever you find yourself in this situation.

If you haven’t had any specific instructions from your agency, follow the procedures below. They are designed to minimise the impact of your absence on your recruitment agency and workplace, and to help you maintain a positive relationship with both.

If you’re going to be late

Contact your agency by telephone as soon as you realise that you will be late. Give them a brief explanation of the situation, including the reason for your delay and what time you expect to arrive. If you are unable to speak to someone, leave a voicemail if possible and also send an email. Keep in touch with them in the event that anything changes.

If you’re going to be absent

Contact your agency by telephone as early as possible, but no later than 30 minutes after your normal starting time. Give them a brief explanation of the situation, including the reason for your absence and when you hope to be back at work. You should do this yourself if possible, or ask someone else to do it on your behalf. If you are unable to speak to someone, leave a voicemail if possible and also send an email.

Stay in contact with your agency at reasonable intervals throughout your absence, and in line with any requests that they make of this nature. Keeping them updated on your progress will help them to plan ahead for either your continued absence or return to work.

We’re here if you need us

For practical reasons, we’re happy for you to manage your own relationships with your agencies and workplaces and our absence notification procedure was designed with that in mind. However, in the event that you need our support or have any difficulties, please let us know and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Sick pay

When you’re unable to work due to illness, you must notify us within seven days. You can do this via phone or email. Please briefly explain the reason for your absence and when you hope to be back at work.

You should also post us either a ‘fit note’ from your doctor or a self-certificate, marked for the attention of the Payroll Team. If your absence is for longer than seven days, it must be a fit note.

It is your responsibility to maintain a reasonable level of contact with us during your absence and ensure that all relevant certification is up-to-date.

Provided you comply with these procedures and your earnings are high enough to trigger an entitlement to statutory sick pay (SSP), we will pay you SSP in accordance with current legislation and at the current rate. You can learn more about SSP in our support centre.

Should you be absent for four weeks or more, we may make a referral under the Occupational Health provisions. We reserve the right to request that you are examined by a doctor of our choosing to report to us at our own expense. From time to time we may also make pre-arranged welfare visits.

Payments

Absences are likely to affect your salary. Aside from statutory benefits, we can only pay you for hours that appear on an approved timesheet.

Repeated or prolonged absences

Repeated or prolonged absences of any kind may result in disciplinary action against you.