Posted By David Bannister Lee, you feel he is stressed, he doesn't admit to this nor does the HSE tool support your theory. Are you sure your diagnosis is correct? If so then is this work related? If so then identify the stressors and do something about them. Otherwise, you appear to be acting as a reasonable employer, monitor the situation and sit back.

Posted By Christopher Hi Lee 1 1 or 2 days here and there doesn't sound too bad to me. What are his reasons for being off sick? What is his sickness history? Has their been any changes in his department/work role/family role? Has he ever had an appraisal? Were there any issues identified? How is his work suffering? How does his absence compare to everyone elses? How are other employees sickness absence managed? 2 Why do you and his managers think he is suffering from stress? Does he understand what you mean by the word stress? Perhaps one of his managers is simply picking on him??? 3 By asking him to complete the HSE tool, which can be quite complicated for the individual, you have demonstrated to him that you have labelled him as someone suffering with stress. All your looking for is evidence. I wonder what his reaction to this request was. This might have suited you, but I doubt whether it suited him. 4 The 'macho' comment needs to be dumped as a perception by yourself. It is very presumptious. If you are suggesting that this is a macho field and I'm sure that the stress word has got out by the pressure that he has been put under, to agree to being labelled with stress, then this could be having an impact on his colleagues and their working relationships with him. The guy could be just bored! 5 Look at the bigger picture. Answer the questions above. Remember, people go off for a lot of reasons, bad back, strained muscles, virus, debility, anxiety, it could all be stress. They may not be presenting the symptoms of what you classify as 'stress.'

Posted By Christopher Lee Do you have a back to work interview scheme set up? Do you have a HR section in your organisation or does this fall to you? If you do then you probably need to involve them. They could always write to him, just as long as they are writing to everyone else with a history of 1-2 day illness advising him that this level of sickness is not satisfactory and the potential outcomes if this behaviour continues. Advising him that his sickness will remain under review and that he will be called to a meeting to discuss potential actions which will be required. One HR department I worked in insisted on a GP note every time an individual went off sick. The GPs insisted on payment. It was the responsibility of the employee to pay for the note. If it is personal, then this should come up in the above.

Posted By Julie Bennett Lee, I read with interest you comments. It is important to recognise the difference between pressure and pathogenic pressure (stress). This is when the pressure exceeds the ability to cope and can become disease causing. Prompt treatment can assist with a timely recovery and prevent further deterioration. There are several methods for treatment depending on the individual and the nature of the condition. Happy to assist with a further discussion.