Shropshire employers who are struggling to cope with staff taking time off sick now have the chance to take up expert advice.

Martin-Kaye LLP Solicitors have organised a special presentation at their offices in The Foundry, Euston Way, Telford, on Friday, July 1, at 10am.

Employment law specialist, John Mehtam, who leads the company's Alpha business team, said they had already seen a great deal of interest in the event from local employers.

"Many companies are struggling to cope when employees take time off sick, particularly in such tough economic times when they are already operating with a skeleton staff.

"So our seminar will look at the legal rules and implications involved in the correct management of both short term and long term sickness absence.

"The approach to both situations is entirely different, but both must be handled in the right way, and we will help employers avoid the common pitfalls they may face."

John said short term absence, such as "Monday morning" syndrome, was likely to require the employer to take disciplinary action.

"But long term sickness absence is entirely unrelated to the disciplinary procedure, and the situation is more about adapting to the employee's capabilities and possible disability implications."

The Martin-Kaye Alpha team will also be joined on the day by leading barrister, David Maxwell, from St Philips Chambers in Birmingham, who is a specialist employment lawyer, a part-time employment judge, and who is recommended by the Legal 500.

"This is the latest in a series of seminars run by our Alpha team who specialise in effective and robust advice for businesses in all aspects of human resources and employment law.

"We're keen to host seminars on topics which are specially requested by our clients, and sickness absence has been a subject we've been asked to cover."

But John said numbers for the seminar were strictly limited, so employers would need to reserve a place by calling 01952 272222 or email emmapalmer@martinkaye.co.uk