Business cannot sustain employee sick leave

Q: I have an absence issue with one of my employees as she has had approximately 80 days off work since last year. I would like to make a business decision as this business cannot sustain the high levels of absence and if my employee comes back on a phased return they will be likely to take time off again as was the case last year. I would like to invite my employee to an absence management meeting to discuss this issue further as her GP has stated that the high levels of absence are likely to continue and it is my decision whether to sustain this or not. How do I go about doing this?

A: Firstly, you must get an updated medical report if you are considering having a capability dismissal as a possibility. It would be wise to specifically ask about reasonable adjustments, her phased return and the likelihood of absence. You must then invite your employee into a consultation meeting to discuss the contents of your report. If her medical evidence confirms that no adjustments can be made and her levels of absence are going to continue then you would need to consider going down a capability dismissal route and issuing another hearing to determine this.