Home / Resources / Effective Line Management is Key

Effective Line Management is Key

CIPD highlights importance of strong absence management in UK organisations in response to TUC research

Today’s report from the TUC showing that a quarter of the workforce went to work in January despite thinking they were too ill to do so,  shows why employers need to manage absence and support employee wellbeing effectively, as the recession puts increasing pressure on their people.

Ben Willmott, the CIPD’s Senior Public Policy Adviser believes that effective line management is the key to maintaining healthy and productive workplaces, especially in an environment where work intensity and concerns over job security are on the increase:

“It is worrying that nearly a third of employees say they are more likely to go into work ill as a result of the recession. Research shows that long-term exposure to stress is linked to conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as heart disease.”

“Good absence management does involve having in place the right systems and procedures to ensure absence levels and patterns are monitored, but it also involves training line managers so that they don’t create or increase stress at work and are able to pick up the early warnings signs that might indicate that someone is not well or struggling to cope at work.”

“There is a risk that the recession will create a mental health time bomb. In an environment where people are under increasing pressure as work intensity increases and worries over job security grow, with limited opportunities to find alternative employment, how people are managed and developed becomes even more critical in terms of supporting positive mental health.”

Recent articles on our blog....

A white plate with a white and green flower arrangement and candles in the background

Do you seek or avoid conversations about grief at work?

December 7, 2023

For this year’s National Grief Awareness Week (2 – 8 December) we have reviewed and updated the section on grief within our mental health resources and consider why we may avoid conversations about grief at work.

Read More →

Autumn 2023 Newsletter includes tips for Stress Awareness Week

November 1, 2023

For Stress Awareness Week, the autumn edition of our quarterly wellbeing at work newsletter includes stress management tips and resources.

Read More →
Two anonymous co-workers sitting outside talking, one holding a coffee cup and the other the stump filter of a coffee machine.

Communication at work – be aware of the pitfalls of co-rumination

November 1, 2023

We offer 5 tips for helping to develop healthy interactions at work in order to increase wellbeing and avoid co-rumination.

Read More →

Testimonials

ineq-about-us-150x150

Our purpose is to provide training and consultancy services to enhance resilience, health and wellbeing in the workplace.

ineq-ethos-values-150x150

Differentiation is one of the most strategic and tactical activities in which companies most constantly engage

ineq-faqs-150x150

It's natural to have questions about training and how it fits with your organisation. Our FAQs can help you find out more.

ineq-case-studies-150x150

View case studies for some of the in-house training courses we have delivered to different types of organisations across the UK.