flexion

Absence is a normal part of working life — but how you manage it can either build trust and resilience, or create frustration, risk, and resentment.

This module gives managers a clear, practical approach to handling absence and wellbeing fairly, legally, and humanely. You’ll learn how to respond confidently to short-term absence, manage long-term sickness sensitively, recognise patterns and warning signs, and support wellbeing without overstepping your role.

Rather than suspicion or avoidance, the focus is on consistency, care, and early action. You’ll understand what to say (and what not to say), when to involve HR, how to protect the wider team, and how to support people back to work with dignity and confidence.

What you’ll gain

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the different types of absence and how to respond appropriately to each
• Handle short-term absence consistently, using return-to-work conversations effectively
• Spot patterns, triggers, and early warning signs before issues escalate
• Manage long-term absence with empathy while meeting legal responsibilities
• Know when and how to involve HR, Occupational Health, or other support services
• Support wellbeing and mental health without becoming a counsellor or overstepping boundaries
• Balance compassion for individuals with fairness to the wider team
• Create a culture where absence and wellbeing are managed openly, fairly, and with trust