Graphical calendar charts a colourful way of viewing a department’s absence records

This week it was revealed Birmingham’s Social Services had 431 long-term sick employees last year. Birmingham City Council commented it was “determined to reduce levels of staff sickness” and the figure was falling year on year. In 2009 the department was served with an improvement notice following several child deaths. The council said: “Some areas of the council’s work, such as front-line social work, will create greater stresses and demands and will inevitably have a higher than average sickness rate.”

Time and Attendance Midlands automated clocking networks include absence planning and entitlement management. Graphical calendar charts provide a colourful way of viewing an individual’s or a department’s absence records. Each employee can be allocated different entitlements for absence such as annual leave or allowed sickness. As absence is booked and taken, the available remainder for each entitlement is updated. Entitlement formulae are used to calculate more complex entitlements that work on a rising scale based upon length of service.