There are several reasons why someone would be off work for long periods, such as compassionate leave, sickness or maternity and paternity leave. Sickness is a common reason, with long-term health conditions accounting for 104.9 million sick days in 2022. You may also find that people take time off work after an accident in the workplace.
The aim for all parties is for the absent employee to return to work and there are several steps you as a business should take to keep this transition as smooth as possible.
Seek professional advice
Before you can even contemplate an employee coming back on-site, you will need to consult a couple of different professionals.
First, if your employee was off for medical reasons then you may want to request a doctor’s report that states they can come back to work. People may feel mentally ready but being physically ready is a different matter.
You may also want to consult with your HR department to ensure that they are happy with this employee returning to work. Going forward, keeping HR in the loop is a good idea as they will able to ensure you are fulfilling all your obligations as an employer.
Collaborate on a plan
Work on a plan to get your employee back into work with them. They will be able to help you decide whether a phased return is best, or part-time for a set period of time to help them readjust.
By working together and making this a collaborative process, you are able to create a plan that both parties can be happy and confident with. This will help to make the process as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
Return to work catch-up
Although you will have collaborated on the return to work plan with your employee prior to them coming back, schedule a catch-up with them and their manager on their first day back.
This will allow you to check in with them and make sure that everything on the plan is still acceptable. It also helps your employee to feel valued and welcomed back which will alleviate some of the anxiety they may be feeling.
Monitor progress and make adjustments
Returning to work after a prolonged absence is not a simple process. You will need to monitor the situation for weeks and maybe even months depending on the employee.
During this time, schedule regular meetings between your employee and their manager. These can serve as forums to discuss any concerns, their health and any feedback from either party.
By keeping an eye on their progress you will be able to adjust any working conditions that will benefit your employee and keep them in the workplace.
