Sickness / Absence Management

Company Information

The management of sickness/absence is primarily a management function.  Companies should have in place an agreed policy on sickness/absence that is comparable with current legislation and is agreed by unions and/or employee representatives.  It is important that within that policy there are clearly defined steps to be taken should you require the help of Rochdale Occupational Health Service Ltd (ROHS) in assisting you to manage your sickness absence.

ROHS understands that employees who are absent through ill health, or whose health is affecting their performance can lead to extra demands on colleagues or the business.

ROHS also understands that managers would like some help in ascertaining if certain health problems can affect an employee’s ability to work, now or in the future.

For these reasons ROHS has developed a process that, when followed by all involved, will ensure medical information is available as soon as possible, and that communication between manager, employee and ROHS meets legal and professional standards.

It is important that management understands that ROHS plays an impartial and objective role in sickness absence management.  We act as advisors both to the employer and employee and do not have an enforcing or disciplinary role to play.

Management must also be aware of and have respect for the issues of medical confidentiality and the Code of Professional Conduct that we work with.

 Procedure for Referring Employees to ROHS

1.       A letter is required giving information on the employee to be seen, including:

• Why you wish the employee to be seen

• Details of current sickness absence

• Outline of employees main duties or enclose a job description

• Any other information you may feel is relevant to the request

2.         A signed Medical Consent Form giving authorisation to access the patients medical records from their General Practitioner and to disclose relevant information to Management

3.         On receipt of the above, the OH Physician may then write to the employees G.P. and ask for a medical report. (Please be aware that GP’s can take anywhere between 2 – 8 weeks to respond to a request for medical information)

4.         On receipt of this report, the employee will be asked to attend for a face-to-face interview with the OH Physician

5.         A report will then be sent to the company with the OH Physician's findings and recommendations

Please ring for further information and cost of referral.