Time to change
Q. An employee is intending to have plastic surgery and says she will need a week off to recover. As far as I know the surgery is purely for aesthetic reasons. I am reluctant to give her the time off, especially considering her attendance record. Must I?
It is not clear from your question exactly why this employee is undergoing surgery. Even if it is purely for aesthetic reasons, there is little you can do to stop her. It may be practical to liaise on the timing of the surgery. If she is having it in the private sector, she would be able to dictate when the operation takes place.
However, it is possible that the surgery might be for a disfigurement or even an illness. If so, to refuse her time off completely could involve imposing a detriment on someone disabled. Take great care if this is the case and get professional advice. Even if the surgery is 'only' for 'cosmetic' reasons, refusing might cause discrimination allegations, since more women than men are likely to have cosmetic surgery (although this is changing!).
You imply that the individual has an poor attendance record. If so, you should deal with that through your disciplinary procedures. A need for plastic surgery, in the circumstances I have described above, would very much be a capability issue, as opposed to an conduct issue, and you should not mix up the two.
- Have your query answered by the experts tel - 020 7484 9808, fax - 020 7484 9989, e-mail - richard.adams@incisivemedia.com.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.insuranceage.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
More on Insurer
Chubb to reduce global headcount by 20% through digital transformation
Chubb has estimated its digital transformation programme will reduce its global headcount by circa 20% within 3-4 years.
Deloitte forecasts home insurers will slide back to losses in 2026 after profits in 2025
UK home insurers are set to make an underwriting profit in 2025, with a net combined ratio of 98%, but will swing back to losses next year with an NCR of 102.1%, according to Deloitte.
Cardiff regional review: Competition not exterminated by consolidation
Insurance experts in Cardiff outline the diversifying businesses in the media and sporting hub city, and highlight the competitive nature of the market with one broker per village on the outskirts.
Amiga targets SME and mid-market with new Lloyd’s capacity for management liability
Amiga Specialty has secured new Lloyd’s capacity to support its management liability proposition for SME and mid-market businesses across the UK, Europe and select rest of-world territories.
End of Year Review 2025: Axa Retail’s Matt Field
Matt Field, intermediary director at Axa Retail, hails the insurer’s domestic violence proposition; keeps a keen eye on its NPS; and predicts new entrants to shake up the retail personal lines market, with a particular focus on data and technology.
People Moves: 15 – 19 December 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
End of Year Review 2025: Bspoke’s Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan, managing director of Bspoke Sports & Leisure, echoes the concerns of others over the speed the market has softened; hails the work of Ajay Mistry in championing transparency and diversity; and shares a giant darts nickname.
FCA commits to expanded work in response to Which? super-complaint
The Financial Conduct Authority has promised to do more work on improving claims handling and consumer understanding of cover in light of Which? hitting the watchdog with a super-complaint about the ‘broken’ home and travel insurance markets.