Sickness leave is a benefit of an employee, which is granted for the recovery of an injury or sickness, and is in the form of paid leave. Since the nature of sickness is unpredictable, it is not possible to clearly define the level of sickness leave. An employee who is absent for three weeks following an operation would not be considered in the same way as someone who has had three days off for a fever.
It is essential to consider each case separately taking into account the particular circumstances. Maintaining good levels of attendance is essential in terms of efficiency in an organization. Good attendance contributes to the organisations ability to deliver a high quality service. Effective management of sickness leave can reduce absence levels to the mutual benefit of both individuals and the organization.