Holding a return to work discussion

An informal return to work discussion should take place with all your employees on their return from sick leave, irrespective of grade or length of sickness absence:

• in cases of short-term absence this should wherever possible take place on the first day of return
• in cases of long-term absence the discussion may take place shortly before the date of return to ensure that appropriate temporary adjustments in are in place to support an employee back into the workplace

The purpose of the discussion is to:

• welcome the employee back, ensuring that they are fit to return to work and give them the opportunity to discuss their current state of health and any issues relating to their welfare
• provide an opportunity for the employee to raise issues of concern in a confidential manner
• advise the employee how their work was covered during their absence and brief them on anything that has occurred while they have been absent
• give the employee the opportunity to indicate if any work-related issues may be impacting on their health and discuss any support they may need
• where the issue is one of short-term absence, review the employee's attendance record and inform them of their total amount of absence in the last 12 months. The employee should be told if, at this stage, formal action may be considered if they are absent again, ie if their absence is considered to be frequent (three or more absences totalling ten or more days within 12 months)
• in cases of long term absence the return to work discussion should include discussion around how the employee will be temporarily supported back to their full duties, or any longer term adjustments needed

The discussion should be recorded on the return to work discussion form . This should be retained on the employee's personal file to inform at any future discussion about their sickness absence.