Absence Management Framework

Introduction

Research shows that the reasons for absence and unsuccessful return to work journeys are complex. Overall, national figures suggest that currently there are too many people absent from work, that they remain off work for too long, and often with too little support to return to work successfully.

Following a series of research projects, we have developed a framework that can help organisations identify the particular drivers of absence in their context and provide evidence-based recommendations to support successful return to work journeys for more employees. We use this framework when we are conducting an Absence Management Review.

Our approach to developing the framework

The framework has been developed by the Affinity Health at Work, and in collaboration with academics at Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham. The evidence base used to develop the framework is multi-faceted draws from several sources:

Comprehensive evidence reviews: We conducted a series of rapid evidence reviews to examine the factors that contributed to absence and return to work across common conditions including mental health, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular conditions, cancer and auditory and heading loss.
Best practice guidance and policy: We reviewed guidance and documentation from national and international policy makers and professional bodies including Acas, CIPD, NICE and the World Health Organisation.
Interviews with employees, employers and work and health professionals: We have conducted interviews with mental health professionals, Human Resource and Occupational Health professionals, academics working in the field and representatives from HSE, CIPD and Acas, members representing Fuller Working Lives, Disability Confident, Access to Work among others. We asked them what works when it comes to managing absence and return to work, and what does not.
Testing across 43 organisations: We worked with Human Resource Professionals and Business owners to test the framework and identify points of evidence available within the organisations and examine how the framework can be used to identify actions to improve policies and practices.
Subject matter expert review: We invited experts from research and practice to review and refine the framework, ensuring that the framework reflects the latest knowledge from research, policy and practice.

The evidence based for the Absence Management Framework

A concise synthesis is in preparation. Here are some of the research studies conducted by our Affinity research team that inform our work:

Davis, O., Dawson, J., Degerdon, L., Delgadillo, J., Kadam, U., Nielsen, K., ... & Munir, F. (2023). Protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of a multicomponent sustainable return to work IGLOo intervention. In press.

Nielsen, K., & Yarker, J. (2023). "It'sa rollercoaster": the recovery and return to work experiences of workers with long COVID. Work & Stress, 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2023.2286654

Nielsen, K., & Yarker, J. (2023). Thrivers, survivors or exiteers: A longitudinal, interpretative phenomenological analysis of the post‐return‐to‐work journeys for workers with common mental disorders. Applied Psychology, an international review,2023,1-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12479

Varela-Mato, V., Blake, H., Yarker, J., Godfree, K., Daly, G., Hassard, J., ... & Munir, F. (2023). Using intervention mapping to develop evidence-based toolkits that support workers on long-term sick leave and their managers. BMC health services research, 23(1), 942. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913‐023‐09952‐0

Nielsen, K., & Yarker, J. (2023). What can I do for you? Line managers' behaviors to support return to work for workers with common mental disorders. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 38(1), 34-46.

Nielsen, K., & Yarker, J. (2022). Employees' experience of supervisor behaviour–a support or a hindrance on their return-to-work journey with a CMD? A qualitative study. Work & Stress, 1-22.

Varela-Mato, V., Godfree, K., Adem, A., Blake, H., Bartle, C., Daly, G., ... & Munir, F. (2022). Protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled study of a multicomponent intervention to promote a sustainable return to work of workers on long-term sick leave—PROWORK: PROmoting a Sustainable and Healthy Return to WORK. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8(1), 188. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814‐022‐01143‐8

Yarker, J., & Nielsen, K. (2022). Working with Long Covid. CIPD, London.

Nielsen, K., Yarker, J., Munir, F., & Bültmann, U. (2020). IGLOO: a framework for return to work among workers with mental health problems. Handbook of Disability, Work and Health, 615-632.

Nielsen, K., & Yarker, J. (2020). Job crafting as a work adjustment strategy for workers returning after long-term sickness absence due to common mental disorders. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 43(2), 154-158.

Nielsen, K., Yarker, J., & Evans, H. (2019). Thriving at Work: The resources required to support employees returning to work following mental ill-health absence. ESRC Productivity Insights Network Report.

Nielsen, K., Yarker, J., Munir, F., & Bültmann, U. (2018). IGLOO: An integrated framework for sustainable return to work in workers with common mental disorders. Work & Stress, 32(4), 400-417. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2018.1438536

Munir, F, Yarker, J, Hicks, B, & Donaldson-Feilder, E. (2012). Returning Employees Back to Work: Developing a Measure for Supervisors to Support Return to Work (SSRW), Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 22(2), pp.196-208

Bains, M, Munir, F, Yarker, J, Bowley, D, Thomas, A, Armitage, N, & Steward, W (2012) The impact of colorectal cancer and self-efficacy beliefs on work ability and employment status: A longitudinal study, European Journal of Cancer Care, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2012.01335

Bains, M, Yarker, J, Amir, Z, Wynn, P, Munir, F (2012) Helping Cancer Survivors Return to Work: What Providers Tell Us About the Challenges in Assisting Cancer Patients with Work Questions, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 22, pp.71-77, ISSN: 1053-0487.

Bains, M., Munir, F., Yarker, J., Steward, W., & Thomas, A. (2011). Return-to-Work Guidance and Support for Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study. Cancer Nursing, 34 (6) 1-12

Bains, M, Munir, F, Yarker, J, Bowley, DM, Armitage, NCM (2009) Exploring the role of self-efficacy in work outcomes of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, Psycho-oncology, 18(3), pp.322-322, ISSN: 1057-9249.

Munir, F, MacKay, C, Yarker, J, Haslam, C, Kazi, A, Cooper, L (2009) Back, but not better. Ongoing mental health hampers return to work outcomes., Occupational Health at Work, 5(5), pp.17-20.

Munir, F., Yarker, J. and McDermott, H.J., (2009) Employment and the common cancers: correlates of work ability during or following cancer treatment'', Occupational Medicine, 59(6), 381-389, ISSN 0962-7480.

Munir, F., Khan, H.T.A., Yarker, J., Haslam, C.O., Long, H., Bains, M. and Kalawsky, K., (2009) Self-management of health-behaviors among older and younger workers with chronic illness, Patient Education and Counseling, 77(1), October 2009, pp 109-115, ISSN: 0738-3991.

Munir, F., Kalawsky, K.E.A., Lawrence, C., Yarker, J., Haslam, C.O., & Ahmed, S (2011) Cognitive Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Needs Analysis, Cancer Nursing, 34(5), pp.385-392, DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e31820254f3.

Munir, F., Burrows, J., Yarker, J., Kalawsky, K., & Bains, M. (2010) Women's perceptions of chemotherapy-induced cognitive side affects on work ability: a focus group study, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(9-10).

Munir, F., Randall, R., Yarker, J., & Nielson, K. (2009) The Influence of Employer Support on Employee Management of Chronic Health Conditions at Work, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 19(4), pp.333-344, ISSN: 1053-0487. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-009-9199-7.

Kennedy, F., Hicks, B., & Yarker, J. (2013). Work stress and cancer researchers: an exploration of the challenges, experiences and training needs of UK cancer researchers. European Journal of Cancer Care, 23 (4), 462-471.

Bains, M., Munir, F., Yarker, J., Steward, W., & Thomas, A. (2011). Return-to-Work Guidance and Support for Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study. Cancer Nursing, 34 (6) 1-12

Yarker, J., Munir, F., Bains, M., Kalawsky, K.E.A., & Haslam, C.O. (2010) The role of communication and support in return to work following cancer-related absence, Psycho-Oncology, 19(10), pp.1078-1085, ISSN: 1099-1611. DOI: 10.1002/pon.1662.

Nielsen, K., Yarker, J., Randall, R., & Munir, F. (2009) The mediating effects of team and self-efficacy on the relationship between transformational leadership, and job satisfaction and psychological well-being in healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey, International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46(9), pp.1236-1244, ISSN: 0020-7489. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.03.001.

Munir, F, MacKay, C, Yarker, J, Haslam, C, Kazi, A, Cooper, L (2009) Back, but not better. Ongoing mental health hampers return to work outcomes., Occupational Health at Work, 5(5), pp.17-20.

Munir, F., Yarker, J. & Haslam, C.O.(2008) Sickness absence management: Encouraging attendance or 'risk-taking' presenteeism in employees with chronic illness? Disability and Rehabilitation, 30(19), 1461-1742.

Nielsen, K., Randall, R., Yarker, J., & Brenner, S-O. (2008). The effects of transformational leadership on followers' perceived work characteristics and psychological well-being: A longitudinal study. Work & Stress, Volume 22 Issue 1, 16

Munir, F., Yarker, J. and Haslam, C.O. (2007). Use of prescribed medication at work in employees with chronic illness. Occupational Medicine, 57, 480-487, ISSN 09627480.

Munir, F., Yarker, J., Haslam, C.O., Long, H., Leka, S., Griffiths, A. and Cox, S. (2007). Work Factors Related to Psychological and Health-Related Distress Among Employees with Chronic Illnesses. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 17, 259-277, ISSN 10530487.

Kennedy, F., Haslam, C.O., Munir, F. & Pryce, J. (2007) Returning to work following cancer: a qualitative exploratory study into the experience of returning to work following cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 16, 2007, pp 17-25.

Pryce, J., Munir, F., & Haslam, C.O. (2007) Cancer survivorship and work: symptoms, supervisor response, co-worker disclosure and work adjustment'', Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 17(1), 83-92, ISSN 15733688.

Yarker, J, Munir, F, & Haslam, C. (2007) Cancer survivorship and work, Psycho-oncology, 16(3), 266-267, ISSN: 1057-9249.

Pryce, J., Albertsen, K., & Nielsen, K. (2006). Work hours interventions: The benefits of choosing the hours you work. Journal of Nursing Management, 14, 282-288.

Munir, F., Pryce, J., Haslam, C.O., Leka, S. & Griffiths, A. (2006). Gender differences in managing chronic illness at work: Exploring predictors for disclosure'', Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 25(3), 173-180, ISSN: 1052-2263.

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