Sickness Absence and Return to Work Assessments
Why?
Proactive management of sickness absence is essential to reduce the
costs of ill health and injury that can significantly impact on business
productivity.
The CIPD states that on average sickness absence costs employers
£522 per employee every year. This figure does not take into account
the cost of production delays, additional temporary labour, impact on
team working and loss of further business.
Early intervention is critical to ensure that an employee is gaining the
right treatment for their complaint and functionality is assessed to plan
an early return to work. Bell Work Health is skilled in assessing absent
cases and if required advising on practical adjustments that will enable
a safe return to work.
Sickness absence management can be particularly challenging for
managers due to the nature of the sensitive, confidential and legal
issues involved. We have the up to date knowledge and skills to
question fit note certification and provide definitive advice to assist
in the management of complex cases.
Where no ongoing health problems are found we provide clear
reports allowing managers to handle poor attendance decisively.
How?
Our specialist case management service
✓ works to identify the actual reason for an employees
absence or poor performance by discussing the issue
in confidence with the employee
✓ liaises with the employee's GP / hospital consultant /
physiotherapist as necessary to ensure suitable and
prompt treatment is received
✓ can request appropriate and pertinent medical information
from the employee's GP / hospital consultant with their
consent and your agreement to costs
✓ can arrange an independent medical assessment
with the employee's consent and your agreement
to costs, with one of Bell Work Health's associate
medical specialists
✓ checks that advice given by an employee's GP is
appropriate and can challenge unfit and fit note
certification
✓ provides you with a clear comprehensive report
Reports to management where relevant will cover the following information:
- if the reason for absence is due to a medical condition
- if sickness absence is likely to improve
- whether the employee is Fit, Fit with restrictions, temporarily Unfit or Unfit
- when the employee is likely to be fit to return to work
- if the employee is covered by the disability provisions of the Equality Act
- if reasonable adjustments are required and for how long
- if the condition is Work-Related or not
- if there are any health and safety issues
- if there are any recommended work restrictions and their duration
- if a GP or Specialist report is required
- if a further review or referral is recommended and by who
- if redeployment or ill health retirement should be sought
- if the condition should be reported under RIDDOR (1995)
- if further Risk Assessment is required
Our service includes
- management referral paperwork including consent form and information for employees
- face-to-face or telephone consultation with the employee
- an Occupational Health Report within the agreed timescale
- administration of letters for medical reports, support agencies
and other referrals
- single point of contact to provide updates on the referral process
- occupational health clinical notes written and securely held by
Bell Work Health, unless otherwise agreed
- a cognitive behavioural approach for employees who are likely to
benefit from this intervention
- impartial support at case conferences
- provision of specific advice sheets for the employee
e.g: stress management, back care, managing shift work etc
- trend analysis on the cases referred by your business.
This information is collated and reported to you on an annual
basis to proactively assist your attendance management.