Sickness Absence Policy
If employees find themselves unable to work due to ill health, they should inform their line manager as soon as possible and follow the sickness absence reporting procedure as usual. The Schedule to Statute C (statute U) Chapter IV and the Ordinances Chapter XI General regulations should also be reviewed and followed for University officers.
In accordance with the University’s Sickness Absence Policy, you should provide a GP fit note after 7 calendar days of sickness. Please continue to keep your line manager informed and regularly updated about your health.
In case of longer-term illness it is advisable that the employee keeps their line manager and the relevant HR Office informed of the state of their health and their readiness to return to work.
The employee may be referred to the University Occupational Health Services for an assessment of the effects of their condition, the likely duration of the illness or condition and whether or not there are any steps that the Department and line manager could take to facilitate the employee's return to work.
After their return to work from sickness absence of any length, all employees should use the CHRIS/62 form below to report the absence to the relevant HR Office. The employee's line manager will also hold an informal return to work discussion with them and complete the Return to Work Discussion Form, and forward the form to the relevant HR Office along with the CHRIS/62 and any doctor's notes (if appropriate).
Staff are advised not to attend the workplace when presenting symptoms of respiratory infections, and particularly when experiencing a high body temperature. If presenting these symptoms please liaise with your line manager to understand if alternate working arrangements are available, or take time off to recover fully before returning to the workplace. Everyone bears equal responsibility for limiting the spread of respiratory diseases to others, and staff should not present at work with symptoms of a respiratory disease, unless a symptom relates to a non-infectious illness (e.g. hay-fever, pre-existing chronic cough etc.). More guidance can be found at https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/latest-information/communicable-diseases-inc-coronavirus-covid-19 or https://www.studentsupport.cam.ac.uk/physical-health/communicable-diseases/respiratory-illness-including-covid-19
Guidance and advice should be sought from the relevant HR Office for any specific concerns regarding the application of the policy, including further advice on managing sickness absence.
All queries regarding sick leave should be directed to the HR Team, contact details can be found here.
Sickness policy and forms:
