Sickness absence follow-up: Are you using the entire toolbox as an employer?

Sick leave follow-up is the employer's systematic work to follow up on employees who are on sick leave. The goal is to facilitate a return to work as early as possible, while ensuring that the business meets statutory requirements.

Good follow-up includes, among other things:

• Early dialogue with the employee
• Follow-up plan
• Dialogue meetings
• Facilitation
• Documentation
• Communication with NAV
• Follow-up of deadlines

For many businesses, the challenge is not a lack of will, but a lack of structure.

When sick leave monitoring works well, the business gains several benefits:

For the employer

• Better control of statutory requirements
• Lower administrative burden
• Better documentation
• Reduced risk of errors

For employees

• Closer follow-up
• Better dialogue with the manager
• Previous facilitation
• Shorter way back to work

The earlier the business identifies the need for adaptation or measures, the greater the likelihood that the employee will be able to return to work.

Many businesses have a system in place, but do not take advantage of all the opportunities.

Here are some typical signs:

1. Leaders follow up differently

Different departments practice sick leave follow-up differently, which can lead to varying quality of follow-up.

2. Deadlines are monitored manually

Follow-up plans and dialogue meetings are kept on track through Excel or calendar reminders.

3. Documentation is located in several places

Information can be found in emails, folders, Teams, local files, or with individuals.

4. HR must continuously follow up on managers

Resources are used to remind managers about tasks and deadlines.

5. The business lacks insight

It is difficult to identify patterns or departments with high levels of sick leave.

6. Measures come late

Opportunities for adaptation are discovered too late in the course of the sick leave.

7. Follow-up is perceived as complicated

Both managers and HR spend an unnecessary amount of time on administration.

Lack of overview is often one of the main reasons why sick leave follow-up becomes reactive.

When the business has access to updated data, automatic notifications and standardized processes, the likelihood of taking action earlier increases.

4human HRM provides HR and managers with:

• Full overview of sick leave
• Automatic NAV integration
• Deadline management
• Digital follow-up process
• Better decision-making basis

The result is less administration and more time for actual follow-up of employees.