Welcome to the March edition of Forrest Scene
- Sophie Forrest
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
From April this year, changes to the Employment Rights Act mean that Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be payable from day one of sickness, rather than after the current three waiting days where payment begins on day four.
This change could impact how businesses manage sickness absence and their associated policies.
To prepare for these changes, businesses should take the following action:
• Review and update sick pay policies
• Review and update absence management policies, including how frequent or persistent absence is managed and whether absence targets are appropriate
• Provide absence management training for managers to ensure they feel confident handling absence effectively (see our training section below)
If you would like support reviewing your policies or managing absence within your organisation, get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help.
It is important to manage absence from work in accordance with employment law and best practice, and to understand the implications of not following the correct procedures.
Our half-day course is designed for anyone responsible for managing absence within their organisation, providing practical guidance on how to handle absence effectively and confidently.
Having attended this event participants will be better able to:
Appreciate the financial implications of absence and the impact on employees and clients
Build understanding of the Company’s absence management policy and procedures
Practice using the key skills needed to undertake return to work interviews and cautionary meetings
Be aware of the key areas of employment legislation relevant to absence management, including recent changes under Employment Rights Act 2025
Understand the importance of accurate reporting and documentation of employee absence
Understand and interpret the absence management reports
Clarify your roles and responsibilities
Have a look at the course overview here
If you would like to book this course or learn more, please contact Forrest Group.
Employment tribunal insurance provides employers with protection against the legal costs and potential compensation awards that can arise from employee claims, such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, or wage disputes.
Forrest Legal can arrange employment tribunal insurance to help provide peace of mind and financial protection should a claim arise.
Contact us to obtain your quote today.
At Forrest Health & Safety, we support businesses in a way that works best for them. Our aim is to provide practical guidance that helps organisations comply with the law, reduce workplace risks and operate more effectively through sensible safety management.
Every partnership begins with an introductory call with one of our Health & Safety specialists. This allows us to understand your business, identify priorities and agree realistic timescales for support.
Once we understand your needs, we tailor our services accordingly.
We offer flexible support models including:
• Hourly consultancy rates
• Monthly retained support
• Fixed fees for one-off projects
This ensures you receive the level of support that best suits your business.
Our consultants provide the advice, training and practical support businesses need to confidently manage Health & Safety responsibilities — allowing you to focus on running and growing your organisation.
All members of our Health & Safety consultancy team hold recognised professional qualifications and bring extensive industry experience.
Our consultants are members of respected professional bodies including:
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
• International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM)
If you’d like to discuss your Health & Safety needs, get in touch with our team today.
Last month, we recorded a new episode of my business journey with Nick Bryant from Brilliant Businesses, and we were delighted to be joined by a very special guest — Scott Harrison, celebrity personal trainer and founder of The Six Pack Revolution.
It was a fantastic conversation covering business journeys, personal challenges and the lessons learned along the way.
You can watch the full interview here.
We’re delighted to share that we have been awarded Top Promoting Consultant 2026 at the Breathe Partner Awards. We’re so proud to work with Breathe and happily promote their system at any opportunity, including providing the system for all our retained clients.