Managing absence categories

Although the policy addresses short term and long term absence separately, in practice the distinction is not always so clear.  Practice Managers are advised to exercise discretion when managing individuals and should take into account the individuals circumstances and take advice from the NES GP Training HR Team.

Short Term Absence - lasts up to 20 working days (or 28 including the weekends)

-  One off occasional absence

-  Short term intermittent absence - this usually involves periods of short absence which occur intermittently over a period of months, or recurrent periods of short absence that form a pattern.

Long term absence - lasts for more than 20 working days (or 28 including the weekends)

-  Unauthorised absence - if sick leave is not reported or is taken for reasons other than genuine ill health, it is regarded as unauthorised absence and can be classed as misconduct under the disciplinary policy.  Where sick pay is claimed inappropriately, it can be regarded as gross misconduct and Trainees may be subject to disciplinary action.

-  A combination of sickness absence categories - in some circumstances a sickness absence pattern may not fall neatly into the categories previously described.  There may be a pattern which is a combination of sickness absences.  If this situation arises, the Practice Manager will need to discuss further with the GPU and Trainee's TPD who may consider this under conduct or capability during ARCPs.