Sick Leave Policy
Sick Leave Policy
Global Bank recognises that employees may occasionally be unable to work due to illness or injury. This policy sets out the procedures for reporting sickness absence, the bank's sick pay provisions, and the support available to employees during and after periods of absence.
Notification Requirements
If you are unable to attend work due to illness, you must:
- Notify your line manager by telephone (not by text message or email) as early as possible and no later than 30 minutes before your normal start time on the first day of absence.
- Provide an indication of the nature of the illness and your expected return date.
- Continue to update your line manager daily for the first three days of absence, and thereafter as agreed.
If you are unable to contact your line manager, you may call HR Services on extension 4400 as a secondary contact.
Self-Certification and Medical Evidence
| Absence Duration | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1–7 calendar days | Self-certification via Workday (submit within 2 days of return) |
| 8+ calendar days | Fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work) from a registered medical practitioner |
| 28+ calendar days | Occupational Health referral may be initiated by HR |
Fit notes should be submitted to HR Services at hr.services@globalbank.com or uploaded directly to Workday under Time Off > Absence Documents.
Sick Pay Entitlement
Global Bank provides enhanced company sick pay in addition to statutory entitlements:
| Length of Service | Full Pay | Half Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| 1–3 years | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| 3–5 years | 12 weeks | 12 weeks |
| 5+ years | 26 weeks | 26 weeks |
Sick pay entitlements are calculated on a rolling 12-month basis. Once company sick pay is exhausted, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will apply in accordance with prevailing legislation.
Return to Work
Upon returning from any period of sickness absence, the following steps apply:
- All absences: The line manager must conduct a return-to-work discussion on the employee's first day back. This is a supportive, informal conversation to confirm the employee is fit to resume duties and to discuss any adjustments needed.
- Absences of 5+ days: The return-to-work discussion should be formally documented using the Return-to-Work Form in Workday.
- Absences of 28+ days: A phased return may be recommended by Occupational Health. This could include reduced hours or modified duties for an agreed period.
Absence Management Triggers
The bank monitors absence levels to identify patterns and provide early support. A formal absence review may be triggered if an employee reaches any of the following thresholds within a rolling 12-month period:
- 3 or more separate instances of sickness absence.
- 10 or more cumulative working days of sickness absence.
- Any identifiable pattern (e.g., frequent Monday or Friday absences).
Absence reviews are conducted by the line manager with support from the HR Business Partner. They are designed to be supportive, not punitive, and aim to identify any underlying issues and appropriate interventions.
Occupational Health
Global Bank's Occupational Health service is provided by an external partner and is available to support employees with health-related work concerns. Referrals can be made by line managers (with the employee's consent) or self-referred by employees. Contact Occupational Health at occupational.health@globalbank.com.
For any questions regarding sick leave, contact HR Services at hr.services@globalbank.com or extension 4400.