Sickness absence

This letter is to request an employee on sickness absence to indicate an anticipated return to work date, if such date has been given by their doctor, or whether the absence is likely to be prolonged. The letter also asks if they can provide any recommendations arising from a Fit for Work assessment.

Where an employee is continually absent due to ill health this letter confirms that their employment is terminated. It refers to meeting(s) held with the employee and that no alternative duties, adjustments or support can be adopted to facilitate a return. The employee is informed that they can appeal.

This letter is to ask a doctor to provide a medical report on an employee with long-term sickness absence, asking their opinion of the medical condition, its likely duration and how it will affect the employee.

This letter is to ask a doctor to provide a medical report on an employee with persistent short-term sickness absence, asking their opinion of the medical condition and how it will affect the employee.

This letter requests permission from an employee to apply to a medical practitioner for a medical report regarding their state of health or medical condition.

This letter should be sent to an employee following a meeting to discuss a fit note that states that they “may be fit for work”. The letter sets out the agreement between employer and employee regarding a return to work and the date of a review meeting. The letter also explains that the employee should not wait until the review date if they are struggling with the arrangements but should inform their line manager immediately.

This letter should be sent to an employee who is on long-term absence to confirm a meeting to discuss the reasons for the employee’s absence, its likely duration and to discuss the possible outcomes of an extended absence. The letter confirms the date, time and location of the meeting but also explains that if the employee feels too unwell to attend the meeting can take place in their home. The letter also has an optional clause to ask the employee to provide an update regarding their Fit for Work case manager’s assessment, as well as details of their Return to Work plan if they have been referred to the Fit for Work service.

This letter can be sent to an employee following a meeting to discuss long-term absence. It covers the details discussed at the meeting and further actions that are planned, including a summary of the medical advice received from the Fit for Work case manager if the employee has been referred to the Fit for Work service.

This letter invites an employee to a meeting, on their return to work, to discuss their recent sickness absence and any medical report/recommendations, including a Return to Work plan if they had been referred to the Fit for Work service.

This letter asks an employee on sickness absence to attend a medical examination at the company's expense. The letter outlines the date, time and location of the appointment and confirms the aim of the medical examination. This letter should be sent with the form asking an employee to consent to a medical examination.

This letter invites an employee to attend a medical examination before returning to work after a period of absence. The letter explains that the aim of the medical examination is to gain a greater understanding of the employee’s current medical condition, to ensure that they are fully fit to return and to assist in the identification of any reasonable adjustments. The letter also asks the employee to complete a pro forma; you can make use of the 'Form for an employee to consent to a medical examination' included on this page for this purpose.

This policy should be used to inform employees of the company's policy and procedure for a phased return to work following a period of long-term sickness absence. This policy includes details on eligibility, agreeing a phased return to work plan, review meetings and payment arrangements during a phased return.

This policy includes details on notification and certification, private medical certificates, return to work, medical examination, access to medical reports, extended absences, meetings, disability, dismissal, payments and insurance.

Use this form to record the outcome of review meetings with an employee following receipt of a fit note from the employee’s GP. The form also includes a section to note whether the employee has been referred for a Fit for Work assessment.

This form is for employees to declare their fitness to return to work following sickness absence, including any advice or recommendations from their doctor or Fit for Work manager.

This form is for an employee to give their consent to a medical examination at the Company's expense, including their rights under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988.

This form is to record the interview of an employee by their manager on their return to work following a period of sickness absence, and to record whether or not this absence is authorised. The form also includes a section to record whether the employee was referred for a Fit for Work assessment and the outcome of any such assessment.

This form is for employees to self-certify a period of sickness absence of less than seven days, giving details of the sickness and any effects it may have on their work.

Use this timetable when a GP has recommended a phased return to work for an employee. The document includes advice on points to consider and an example timetable.