How is your employer managing sickness absence?

[BirdieFriendReturns]

I’m intrigued to see how different organisations are managing sickness absence now. I know that one civil service department is discounting Covid19 sickness - whether that’s confirmed or suspected.

Going forward, seeing as Coronavirus is here to stay, will all colds and flu like viruses be seen as potential Covid19 and discounted? Will employees stop going to their place of work with symptoms of a cold?

My work are including all episodes of sickness for pay purposes (you can have 3 instances in 12 months paid, 4th instance onwards isn't paid). 4th episode normally triggers disciplinary process but they are discounting COVID related abscences from that, and they are also being discounted for end of year reviews (which affect pay reviews). For most people at my work pay is the most important thing so I don't see people willingly being off for cold/flu symptoms in the future if it'll mean they only get SSP.

If you're ill you're off sick but if you're absent because you're shielding or self- isolating because of suspected covid 19 in yourself or your household, that doesn't count as sickness absence.