# The absence review and the migraine days

“The absence review and the migraine days” is a people advisor job simulation on FinderK. You work at Fenwick & Hale Insurance, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 55 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice people advisor work. No previous work experience is required.

- Role: People advisor
- Industry: HR and people operations
- Career: People operations and recruiting (https://finderk.com/careers/people-operations)
- Level: Early career
- Time: About 55 minutes, 3 assignments
- Access: Included in Plus
- Created by: FinderK
- Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Calendar, Chat
- Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/the-absence-review-and-the-migraine-days
- Last updated: 2026-10-10

## Summary

Run the monthly absence review for one team, advise a team leader who wants to start a formal process for the wrong reasons, and arrange a fair stage 1 meeting for someone who does meet a trigger.

## Full brief

You are a people advisor at an insurance contact centre. You check one team's sickness absence against the attendance policy's triggers, using the policy's review period and the occupational health advice, not only the system export. Then you advise a team leader who wants to start a formal process for an advisor whose absences are covered by an adjustment, and you draft the invitation and book the meeting for an advisor who does meet a trigger, with the notice and rights the policy requires. Automated checks confirm your counts and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role.

## What is Fenwick & Hale Insurance?

Fenwick & Hale Insurance is a fictional home and car insurer with a 240 person contact centre in Leeds. Team leaders manage attendance with advice from a small people team, under a policy that sets triggers for formal meetings and protects employees with a disability. This case runs on Tuesday 1 December 2026.

## Who do you play?

You are the people advisor in the People team team. You run the monthly absence review and advise team leaders on the attendance policy. You may advise, draft letters and book meetings. You may not decide to start a formal stage, which the team leader decides with your advice, or set aside an occupational health adjustment. Disputes and anything that could be discrimination go to Rachel.

## What will you do?

1. 1. Review team 14 against the triggers (20 minutes)
2. 2. Advise Gary on Daniel (18 minutes)
3. 3. Arrange Tom's stage 1 meeting (17 minutes)

## Which skills will you practice?

- Apply attendance triggers using the policy, not the export
- Advise a manager on disability and reasonable adjustments
- Push back on a manager within your role and escalate
- Arrange a fair formal meeting with correct notice

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does “The absence review and the migraine days” take?

About 55 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock.

### Is “The absence review and the migraine days” free?

No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading.

### Do I need people advisor experience?

No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is early career.

### What do I get when I finish?

You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation.

### Is Fenwick & Hale Insurance a real company?

No. Fenwick & Hale Insurance is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.