Stages and Levels

The Stages and Levels process provides a clear and consistent approach to managing short-term sickness absence. It sets out the responsibilities of everyone involved in the attendance process and distinguishes between two circumstances. 

Stages apply to short-term or intermittent sickness absence where there is no significant underlying medical cause.

Levels apply where the absence is linked to a significant underlying medical cause.

Meetings with employees are managed through the relevant stages or levels to ensure absence is addressed appropriately and consistently.

Attendance Management Policy

Within the Atttendance Management policy the process and procedures of different absences is defined such as long term and short-term absence. The policy page also includes management toolkits as well as information about returning to work and wellbeing support that is available to all staff. 

Stages and Levels Toolkits

• Stage 1 Absence Toolkit

  Please click here for the stage 1 absence toolkit.

• Stage 2 Absence Toolkit

  Please click here for the stage 2 absence toolkit.

• Level 1 Absence Toolkit

  Please click here for the level 1 absence toolkit.

• Level 2 Absence Toolkit

  Please click here for the level 2 absence toolkit.

Stages and Levels FAQs

• How frequently is the notification issued?

  The Absence Support Team will issue out Stages and Levels notifications every 6 weeks.

• I believe someone may have triggered and I have yet to receive a notification, who do I raise this to?

  Please email absencesupport.leademployer@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk who will review this and determine if they need to be added to the next notification run.

• Who is responsible for undertaking the Stage / Level 1 meeting?

  As the Host placement provides the practical environment in which colleagues-in-training undertake their training and receive day-to-day supervision, host managers and supervisors have a direct responsibility for managing sickness absence and play a key role in ensuring the successful and consistent application of the Attendance Management Policy.

• The absences occurred in another placement, who is responsible for holding the meeting with the colleague-in-training?

  We acknowledge that some instances of the colleague-in-training’s sickness absence may have occurred prior to their rotation to you. However, we kindly request your support in conducting the necessary meeting to ensure they receive the relevant support to help them improve their attendance. This also ensures the Trust continues to meet and improve upon its sickness absence targets by taking appropriate action in line with the Attendance Management Policy.

   

• When should a meeting be arranged following notification?

  In line with the Attendance Management Policy, the meeting need to be undertaken where possible within six weeks of the notification being received. It is crucial that these meetings take place in a timely manner. Sickness absence has financial implications for Host Trusts and may also have an impact on training, potentially resulting in the colleague-in-training having their training programme extended.

• The absence history and days are incorrect on the notification, who do I contact regarding this?

  Please contact the placement in which this absence occurred to get this corrected, the Absence Support Team would then need to be informed of this update to review your absences and confirm if the short-term absence trigger is still applicable.

• How does the placement provide LE with the appropriate contact details for the notifications?

  Please complete the host contact update form, in which you can add, change or remove your contact details. We ask that you update this as regularly as is needed. 

Guidance on undertaking the meeting 

Please check back here where we will shortly upload a how-to video which guides you through the Stage 1/Level 1 process.