Are your employees aware of your sickness policy?

A survey of 500 businesses has revealed up to 1/4 do not routinely tell employees about any benefits of the sickness policy, leaving many employees unaware of any benefits to them if they fall ill.

 

When asked to elaborate, eight per cent of businesses questioned had a policy in place but preferred to maintain secrecy about the details, 12% said they treated each case on its own merits and 5% said they had no provision at all - but that staff might not be aware of this.

Although PMI and a pension is seen as a major benefit which is oft-quoted on a job description or ad, businesses with generous sickness provision like cover under a Group Income Protection (GIP) policy often falls under the radar as it is claimed it is 'taboo' for employees to raise the subject of sick leave – particularly during the recruitment process.