Help, an employee is sick. What do I do as a manager?

As a manager, it can be challenging when one of your employees falls ill and has to take time off work. It can increase the workload for other employees and make it difficult to maintain production at the same level as before. In addition, you naturally want to care for the sick employee and help them return to work as soon as possible.

But what can you actually do as a manager when an employee falls ill?

First and foremost, it's important to show empathy and care for the sick employee. Let them know that you wish them a speedy recovery and that you understand it can be a challenging situation. You may also want to offer to set up a meeting with the HR department so that the sick employee can be informed of their rights regarding illness and sick pay.

Workload management

When it comes to managing the increased workload that arises when an employee is ill, it may be smart to consider the possibility of task redistribution among the other employees. If necessary, you can also consider hiring a substitute or temporary help. It's important to remember that employees who have to take on extra tasks can feel overworked and stressed. Therefore, it can be helpful to offer extra support and resources to these employees.

Create a policy in case of illness

It's also a good idea to have a plan for how you handle sick leave in general. This could include a clear sickness policy that outlines the expectations of employees when it comes to reporting sickness and how sickness absence will be handled. You may also want to have a follow-up plan for employees who have been sick, so they get the support they need to return to work as soon as possible. By using 4human HRM, you can ensure that your managers follow up on the sick employee in a structured way according to company guidelines.

Finally, it's important to remember that the road back to full working capacity can be long for an employee who has been ill. As a manager, it's important to be patient and flexible, and to offer the support and organization the sick employee needs to be able to return to work in a safe and responsible way.

Remember that when you care for your employees, you will be able to build a working environment characterized by trust and loyalty, which in the long run will contribute positively to the company's success. Make sure you're proactive and have good plans in place to manage sick leave, and show care for the sick employee as well as those affected by increased workloads.