We're not advocating the elimination of sick leave. It's a fundamental element of human relations to allow people time to recover from illness at home and to reduce the spread of contagion at work. We are advocating a change in the way people think about sick leave. Improving sick leave management is a deceptively simple procedure. Train managers and supervisors how to establish and maintain critical communications links with employees and the health care system.
Medical professionals are responsible for providing a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your employees must be responsible for completing their treatment, maintaining their medication schedules, and reducing the health hazards of their lifestyle. Supervisors and managers are responsible for monitoring and counseling employees about health related issues, and helping employees interact effectively with the health care system. Thriving in a tight labor market requires communications among the occupational health advisor, the employer, and the employee.