Booked Off, Called In, or Pushing Their Luck? Managing Employee Leave Like a Pro | HR Unboxed S02 E06

In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye tackle one of the most confusing areas of people management: employee leave. From annual leave clashes and sick days to emergency time off, parental leave, compassionate leave, and jury service, this episode breaks down what managers need to know to stay fair, compliant, and human.

They explain the real-life challenges managers face when multiple staff want the same time off, what “reasonable” actually means in law, and how poor record-keeping can land businesses in serious trouble. You’ll hear practical advice on handling sickness absence properly, why covering it up with holiday is risky, and how return-to-work meetings help spot patterns before they become problems.

The episode also dives into family-related leave, including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, plus what’s changing under the Employment Rights Act. Natalie and Fay discuss why many employees don’t take the leave they’re entitled to, the financial realities behind those decisions, and how employers can better support working families.

They also cover compassionate leave, how to handle bereavement sensitively, what managers should (and shouldn’t) share with teams, and how to avoid making damaging assumptions. Finally, they explore lesser-known types of leave such as jury service and public duties, including the real impact these can have on employees’ mental health.

If you’re a manager, business owner, or HR professional, this episode is packed with practical guidance to help you avoid grievances, prevent disputes, and build a workplace that works for everyone.

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