Author: Marc Bishop (CEO, Phronesis)
Published: 2 July 2026
Last reviewed: 2 July 2026
Reading time: ~8 minutes
What are sickness absence triggers?
Absence triggers are pre-set points where you review attendance. They are not automatic punishment. They are a prompt to:
- check what's going on
- consider support/adjustments
- decide whether formal steps are needed
Examples of common trigger points
SMEs often use triggers such as:
- 3 episodes of sickness absence in 6 months
- 10 working days’ sickness in 12 months
- A pattern (e.g., Mondays/Fridays)
What's “reasonable” for a small business?
A small business may feel absence more sharply than a large employer, but you still need fairness and consistency.
A reasonable approach usually includes:
- RTW interviews after every absence
- A simple trigger policy that prompts review
- A supportive meeting when triggers are hit
- Adjustments where appropriate
- Clear documentation
Practical tip from Marc Bishop
In my experience, triggers work best when managers treat them as a “support checkpoint” rather than a threat. Employees are far more likely to engage when the tone is: ‘Let's fix this together.’
FAQs
Absence triggers — common questions
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