Absence Management

Sickness absence is defined as any absence from work attributed to illness or injury. It is now well recognised that sickness absence gives rise to significant costs for all organisations each year with the CIPD annual survey (2016) announcing average sickness absence costs per employee of approximately £522 per year or 6.3 working days lost.

At Choose Occupational Health we recognise that early support and intervention can help to reduce the length of absence and facilitate an early return to work, wherever possible.

Research has demonstrated that a proactive occupational health provider working in partnership with business managers and owners can deliver significant and achievable results for both the employer and employee.

Our Absence Management services provide managers and employers with information and advice in order to help them stay in work or return to work with a prevailing health condition.

We lead the manager through a referral process including the completion of a comprehensive referral form which ensures that you receive the best advice and guidance required to support your employee when they have become unwell.

Firstly, we provide perspective on the health condition or impairment so that the manager can understand the effect it may have on the individual both during their absence and on return to work. Working with the manager we look at how the absence period will impact on the running of the business and what can be put in place to help improve performance when they return. Helping the employer to understand how long someone might be off enables them to manage the business around their absence. In some cases, it is about helping the management to understand that someone may no longer be able to fulfil their role and having the conversation about next steps and how things will be managed in the future.
From information given during the referral process we will make sure that the individual sees the right person, we will work out the geography of where they need to be seen and aim to get the best outcome.
Depending on the situation you may see an Occupational Health Adviser or an Occupational Health Physician.
Consultations may be carried out over the phone or in person.
In some cases, if there are particularly complex circumstances or the recommended adjustments are difficult, we may need a Case Conference, where everyone involved gets together in a room to discuss the report and work out what needs to be done. Often, an effective way forward with solid outcomes can be determined faster.
Occasionally we may be required to do an Ill Health Retirement Assessment where the individual is ill for a long period of time and isn’t going to be well enough to return to work. If required, our Occupational Health Physicians will consult a specialist regarding pension schemes as part of the process.

Absence Management

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