{"id":22699,"date":"2025-06-17T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=22699"},"modified":"2025-06-17T12:13:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T11:13:14","slug":"absence-management-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/absence-management-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an absence management policy?"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/people-leadership\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">People &amp; Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is an absence management policy?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-06-17T09:00:00+01:00\">17 June, 2025<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"What is an absence management policy?\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/absence-management-policy\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/yassirmalik\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Yassir-Malik.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"yassir-malik-profile-picture\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Yassir Malik<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Whether due to illness, family emergencies, or long-term health concerns, staff will need time away from their jobs, making employee absences inevitable in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why having a clear and consistent absence management policy is key to minimising disruption and maintaining productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An absence management policy defines how your business handles planned and unplanned time off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It outlines the responsibilities, procedures, and support available to employees while helping HR and managers respond to absences fairly, and in accordance with UK employment law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without one, organisations risk confusion, inconsistency, and, in some cases, legal or financial repercussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In today&#8217;s workplace, where wellbeing and flexibility are increasingly important, businesses of all sizes can benefit from putting a robust staff absence policy in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-why-your-business-needs-an-absence-management-policy\" data-level=\"2\">Why your business needs an absence management policy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-to-consider-when-creating-an-absence-management-policy\" data-level=\"2\">What to consider when creating an absence management policy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-should-be-included-in-an-absence-management-policy\" data-level=\"2\">What should be included in an absence management policy?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-best-practices-for-an-absence-management-policy\" data-level=\"2\">Best practices for an absence management policy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-absence-management-methods-and-tools\" data-level=\"2\">Absence management methods and tools<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-building-a-supportive-and-productive-workplace\" data-level=\"2\">Building a supportive and productive workplace<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-final-thoughts\" data-level=\"2\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-absence-management-faqs\" data-level=\"2\">Absence management FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-your-business-needs-an-absence-management-policy\">Why your business needs an absence management policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not having a structured staff absence policy can lead to serious operational issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without clear guidelines, managers may take inconsistent approaches, employees may feel unsure about their rights, and the business can lose track of absence trends that impact productivity and performance overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong absence management policy provides clarity and helps create a culture of fairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It ensures employees know how and when to request and report an absence, what documentation they might need to provide, and what support is available to them during their time away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For managers and HR professionals, it offers a framework for decision-making that reduces bias and improves efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Practically, it also helps protect your business legally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From statutory sick pay to fit note requirements, the policy ensures your approach aligns with current regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It supports better communication, mitigates financial loss, and fosters a culture of trust\u2014key to a resilient and healthy business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-to-consider-when-creating-an-absence-management-policy\">What to consider when creating an absence management policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every company is different, so your absence management policy should reflect your specific business structure, industry, and workforce needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a small business may require a more informal approach than a larger corporation, but both should ensure their policies are legally sound and easy to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll also need to think about managing various types of staff absences, such as short-term illness, long-term health issues, emergency leave, and compassionate leave such as bereavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Striking the right balance between operational needs and employee wellbeing is crucial to HR absence management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A comprehensive attendance management policy should consider how to remain fair, inclusive, and responsive to employees&#8217; challenges, such as allowing longer leave for chronic conditions or time off to balance family responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-should-be-included-in-an-absence-management-policy\">What should be included in an absence management policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong absence management policy sets clear expectations and ensures a consistent approach to handling employee absences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key elements to include are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Absence reporting procedures: <\/strong>outline how and when employees should notify their manager of an absence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sick leave policy: <\/strong>detail the company\u2019s approach to sick leave, including entitlements and compliance with UK statutory requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fit notes and medical evidence: <\/strong>explain when and how employees should submit medical documentation to support their absence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Return-to-work interviews: <\/strong>describe how these are conducted to support reintegration and identify ongoing needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Managing long-term absence: <\/strong>provide guidance on handling extended periods of absence fairly and in line with UK employment law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Emergency and compassionate leave: <\/strong>clarify what types of leave are available and what qualifies as acceptable under your absence management policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Absence tracking and record-keeping: <\/strong>emphasise the importance of maintaining accurate records to identify patterns and support appropriate action if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Support resources: <\/strong>signpost available resources, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and wellbeing initiatives, to show your commitment to supporting staff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Including these elements in your absence management policy helps ensure fair treatment, legal compliance, and a people-centred workplace culture that benefits both employees and the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-practices-for-an-absence-management-policy\">Best practices for an absence management policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To make your absence management policy as effective as possible, it should be easy to access, clearly communicated, and consistently implemented in every department within your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means sharing it with all employees, ideally as part of onboarding, and making sure it&#8217;s readily available for reference when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Managers must also be properly trained to apply the policy fairly and empathetically because even the best-written policy can be misinterpreted or misused without adequate training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regular reviews are essential too, especially when there are changes in legislation, business needs, or workforce feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flexibility is another vital element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An overly rigid policy may fail to accommodate genuine personal challenges. By allowing for discretion where needed, you can promote fairness while still maintaining consistency, structure, and a supportive work culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-absence-management-methods-and-tools\">Absence management methods and tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern businesses increasingly turn to technology and data-driven insights to improve absence management. One of the most effective approaches involves proactively monitoring absence patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the right tools, HR teams can identify trends early, such as frequent short-term absences, that may signal deeper issues or highlight the need for additional staffing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing attendance no longer requires juggling spreadsheets or chasing email updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Absence management software enables HR teams to track leave more efficiently, reduce absenteeism, and better support employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smarter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/human-resources\/attendance-tracking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">attendance tracking<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/people\/product-capabilities\/attendance-leave-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leave management<\/a> can make a measurable difference to productivity and morale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investing in HR absence management tools can transform how businesses track and respond to absences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These platforms centralise data, automate record-keeping, and generate real-time reports, helping HR teams make informed decisions, minimise admin errors, and stay compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-a-supportive-and-productive-workplace\">Building a supportive and productive workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At its core, absence management is about creating a working environment where people feel supported, trusted, and able to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A clear, fair, proactive policy can reduce absenteeism, improve morale, and contribute to a healthier, more productive business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By reinforcing the importance of absence management and embedding it into your broader people strategy, your business will benefit from improved resilience and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regularly reviewing your policy ensures it remains up-to-date and responsive while also showing employees that their wellbeing matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses that take the time to implement and maintain a strong absence policy are more likely to build trust, improve retention, and stay agile\u2014while also being able to bring in additional support when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This flexibility not only eases pressure on existing staff but also helps them perform at their best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Effectively managing staff absence is essential for supporting employee wellbeing and sustaining business performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A clear, well-communicated absence policy promotes fairness, reduces operational disruptions, and strengthens team trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By leveraging <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/human-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>HR software<\/strong><\/a> to track leave and monitor trends, you can simplify HR processes, ensure compliance, and make informed, strategic decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the right tools and a streamlined approach, your business can foster a healthier, more resilient workplace that is well-equipped to thrive in today&#8217;s evolving world of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-absence-management-faqs\">Absence management FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-an-absence-management-policy\">What is an absence management policy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A formal document that outlines how a business handles staff absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It covers everything from reporting procedures to return-to-work support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-purpose-of-an-absence-management-policy\">What is the purpose of an absence management policy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A staff absence policy aims to reduce the negative impact of absences by supporting employees appropriately, ensuring legal compliance, and maintaining business continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-difference-between-absence-management-and-attendance-management\">What is the difference between absence management and attendance management?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Absence management focuses on how and why employees take time off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Attendance management policies and strategies aim to promote regular attendance and reduce unnecessary absences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-should-an-absence-management-policy-include\">What should an absence management policy include?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Key elements of a good absence management policy include how to report absences, sick leave details, documentation requirements, long-term absence processes, and employee support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-you-manage-excessive-absenteeism-fairly\">How do you manage excessive absenteeism fairly?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To manage absenteeism fairly, businesses should rely on clear data, apply the policy consistently, and engage in open, supportive conversations with affected employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before taking further action, businesses should take time to understand any underlying factors contributing to an employee&#8217;s frequent absences.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button 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class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/looking-after-your-employees\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLooking after your employees\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-30275 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-grow-business tag-inventory tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-supply-chain business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-27T14:12:06+01:00\">27 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sales-order-management\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWhat is sales order management: How to optimise sales order processing\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tLooking to simplify your sales order management? Discover how to optimise your process and keep your business running smoothly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-18419 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-grow-business tag-start-business tag-sound-advice-podcast tag-startup-stories post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business 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class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-21T15:30:08+01:00\">21 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">31 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tI started a business with a Spice Girl\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-20523 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-business-performance tag-work-life-balance 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business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-many-work-hours-in-a-year\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-608166817-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Women in a shop environment working on Black Friday promotions\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-608166817-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-608166817-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-608166817-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-08T16:53:28+01:00\">8 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">12 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow many working hours in a year UK 2026\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-15685 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-finances tag-grow-business 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class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-01T10:00:00+01:00\">1 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">18 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to attract angel investors to your start-up: A practical guide\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From sick leave to long-term absences, discover how an absence management policy keeps your team supported and your business compliant. Learn why every company needs one to stay productive and fair.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1774,"featured_media":19400,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[180,45,49,15,240,41,234,198],"business_type":[4,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[71,73,74],"imagine_tag":[92,217,218],"coauthors":[355],"class_list":["post-22699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-leadership","tag-business-performance","tag-employee-engagement","tag-employee-retention","tag-grow-business","tag-hr-processes-medium-businesses","tag-hr-process","tag-hr-payroll-benefits","tag-looking-after-your-employees","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Yassir Malik","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/08\/Employees-communicating-together.jpg","imagine_tags":{"92":"HR and Payroll","217":"HR processes","218":"Top HR resources"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1774"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22699\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/19400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=22699"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=22699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}