Implement a phased return to work from sickness absence

Key points

Doctors often recommend that employers implement a phased return to work in relation to absent employees who are well enough to carry out some work and likely to recover sufficiently to return to their role. A phased return could be a "reasonable adjustment" where an employee has a disability under the Equality Act 2010. In any event, it can be beneficial for both the employer and the employee when trying to achieve a successful return to work.
A phased return to work will involve a change to the employee's normal working hours, for example two days a week, building up to five over an agreed period of time. The employer will need to consider the impact of the reduced hours on the employee's pay.
The employer should set up and record targets for the phased return and when the work will be stepped up, and then monitor the employee's progress throughout the return-to-work period.