Our sickness absence management policy requires the number of days of an employees sickness absence to be monitored. Progression through the various stages of our policy, which potentially leads to dismissal, is determined by the number of days lost as a result of sickness. Currently sickness absence relating to a disability, as defined in the DDA, is discounted.

We are finding this situation increasingly frustrating and are considering including disability related sickness absence as reckonable within our policy, but only after we have applied all reasonable adjustments to the workplace or the role. Advice from our company lawyers seems to suggest that discounting any disability related absence may be seen as a reasonable adjustment in itself.

Has anyone considered such action and, if so what has been the outcome?”

Brian Elliott