Sickness Absence Management

Occupational health services are one of the most effective ways for assisting organisations in managing absence situations - both short and long term. We provide business - focused advice for HR and managers for helping employees back into workplace after sickness absence. The employer initiates the referral with a manager referral to occupational health.

Long term sickness absence

We aim to prevent the drift into long term absence through a proactive case management approach. Intervening early when an absence starts increases the chances of preventing a long term absence even in cases of stress, anxiety or depression. Early referral to OH is often helpful such as when a person has been absent for 4 weeks or more. Immediate referral is frequently advised for work-related musculoskeletal conditions, work-related stress or work ill health/accidents.

During our assessment of absent employees, there is normally a return to work focus with advice given to employees about progressing towards work readiness. After a manager referral for sickness absence, we provide effective independent OH reports to the manager to assist with making progress with a case. We will advise the employer about ways of promoting a return to work e.g. phased return to work, measures to support an employee in building up work fitness and stamina, suggest possible temporary work adjustments, advise re Equality Act as well as about GP fit notes.

Short term sickness absence - monitoring short-term absences is generally important for improving attendance. Occupational health will provide advice about whether there are underlying health conditions or other issues that are contributing to persistent short term absence. If no such health condition or other causes of concern are identified, the manager can then confidently apply the next step of their attendance procedure in cases of persistent short-term absence.