Organisations that have an absence management strategy in place and have evidence of an improvement in levels of absence or productivity are eligible to enter this category.

The judges will be looking for an HR team that can demonstrate how their efforts have improved absence levels at their employer.

2007 winner: Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

The judges said Merseyside FSR has made brave decisions and created a scheme that has halved absence using a spend-to-save programme.