I have an employee who is taking excessive amounts of time off, currently one day a week and have requested his attendance at a disciplinary meeting as his absence now totals more than 120 days. I have received a letter from a friend of his stating that he is unable to attend as he is suffering clinical depression and is seeking psyciatric treatment. How do I respond. I have a couple of sicknotes on file for the more lengthy periods of absence eg 2 weeks, 3 weeks and one month at one time. However, the single days are not being explained. How do I proceed. p.s. This employee was diagnosed with cancer 2½ years ago which I assume has lead to the depression he is suffering.
Louise Midghall