Absence line
Call 01546 605513 and press 1
We have launched a new automated Absence Line, making it easier for you to report absences outside normal working hours.
This is an optional service; you can still speak directly with an HR adviser by calling the Absence Line between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
You need to know your employee number before calling (this can be found under your employment details in HROnline – check these for instructions for more details). The automated service requires this information to record an absence in HROnline.
To use the automated absence line, please follow the step by step prompts as listed in the next section.
Follow the automated prompts to report your absence:
- Please can you enter your employee ID using the keypad, when finished press the # key.
- Are you reporting the start of an absence, please say Yes.
- We just need to confirm the name of the caller.
- Please tell me the reason for your absence.
- Please tell me the date your absence started for verification. Please provide this in full, for example, 24th August 2026.
- You entered 24-08-2026 for your absence start date. Is this correct, please say Yes or No.
- Will this absence be for a full work day or longer, please say Yes or No.
- Will you be absent for the start of your shift, please say Yes or No.
- Your absence has been successfully reported.
Follow the automated prompts to report your return to work:
- Please can you enter your employee ID using the keypad, when finished press the # key.
- Are you reporting the start of an absence, please say No.
- We just need to confirm the name of the caller.
- Please state the date of your return to work for verification. Please note, this should be the last day you were due to be working before returning. Please provide this in full, for example, 24th August 2026.
- You entered 24-08-2026 for your absence start date. Is this correct, please say Yes or No.
- Your return to work has been successfully reported.
Policies and procedures
Forms and guidance
- Return to work discussion
- Medical fit notes – guidance for employees
- Occupational Health referrals
- Accrued annual leave calculation for Teachers for prolonged sickness absence
Information for managers
- Invite to informal supporting attendance meeting
- Outcome letter – informal supporting attendance meeting
- Record of supporting attendance meeting
- Phased return to work and other reasonable adjustments guidance
- Absence triggers
- Short term absence – templates and guidance
- Long term absence – templates and guidance
- Reinstatement of IT access after 90 days or more of absence
Normal opening hours for Council Offices are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, except Public Holidays (see below for public holiday lists).
Please note that some offices/schools may have different opening hours or Public Holidays to those outlined in the attachments. Please contact the appropriate office/school for specific details.
School holidays can be found on the website in the school holidays section
Contacts
If you are looking for information regarding an HR Policy or Procedure please visit our document library first – HR policies and procedures.
Please use our HR Helpbot if you need assistance.
If you wish to seek further guidance after reviewing these documents, please contact HR on the options below.
HROD Helpdesk
To contact HR via our new Helpdesk, please submit a ticket using the HROD Enquiry Form via the button below.
You can send an enquiry via the form as an Employee, Manager of Employees, or Non-Employee.
When submitting an enquiry, please ensure it is relevant to the enquiry option selected on the form.
Find more information including frequently asked questions.
You can also phone the HR Advice Line on 01546 605513 (and press 4).