NEWS & RESOURCES

Absences due to ill-health (long term)

There is no legal definition of ‘long-term’ absence so it is up to the employer to decide at what point such absences need to be formally reviewed.

Often a trigger procedure that alerts you once an employee has been absent for an unbroken period is put in place, typically set at four, six or 13 weeks. In smaller organisations, the absence may have much more of an immediate impact, therefore many smaller employers regard anything in excess of four weeks as ‘long-term’.

Absence monitoring systems should also alert you once an employee has been absent to a set nuber of weeks and before the employee runs out of either contractual or statutory sick pay and, if appropriate, may become entitled to any Permanent Health Insurance. Decide on the stages at which you feel a review, medical report, follow up etc is necessary, and implement a system which automatically reminds you of these dates. Note that it is common to experience delays in getting GP reports (which, once received, vary hugely in the amount of detail provided and the amount of practical guidance given). You may wish to consider taking action earlier, so that any delay can be more easily accommodated.

The key is then to actively manage these cases, with the aim of getting the employee back to work as soon as possible, even if this is not at full capacity.

Getting specialist medical advice

The first step in managing long-term sickness is to get specialist advice.

GP reports:
Whilst the GP’s statement of fitness for work should provide basic details on any work that an employee may be able to do (if unfit to do their normal duties), the advice is unlikely to be very detailed. However, you may, with the employee’s permission, be able to write to the GP or consultant for further information. An employee may refuse permission for you to approach their GP, and any request to the GP or treating consultant has to comply with the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988. The employee can also choose to see the report before you do and to ask for changes to be made. Always bear in mind that GPs are treating the individual and will usually believe what they are told by their patient.

Occupational health reports:
These may be more objective, because the person preparing the report is not treating the employee, ie the employee is not their patient.  Occupational health specialists will independently advise both the individual and also the employer, and will focus on the nature of the work involved (not necessarily understood by GPs). They can offer guidance on reasonable and sustainable returns to work or on ill-health dismissal. Good occupational health specialists will actively assist in finding a solution rather than allowing a situation to fester. We recommend you find a reputable supplier to work with, build up a relationship and let them get to know your organisation and its expectations. Most absent employees appreciate this service too as it allows them to plan a way forward – being off work has many detrimental effects on them too.

The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 does not apply to occupational health reports. Many contracts of employment include clauses that require the employee, if requested, to undergo a medical examination and failure to comply with this request could then be a breach of contract. (However even if you have such a clause, it is still usual to gain the employee’s permission, especially as the occupational health specialist may, in many cases, wish to consult with the GP or treating consultant.) Some contracts specifically stipulate that if an employee fails to report for an occupational health assessment that has been scheduled, contractual sick pay may be withheld.

Whichever route you follow, ensure that the individual is always informed/involved and knows that you are making positive efforts to understand the particular condition, how it presents itself for that individual and what this means in relation to their work. If the employee refuses permission for a medical report, you will have to make any decision on the basis of the information available to you at that time, so make this clear to the employee in advance. The fact that you have requested, and been refused, specialist advice will act in your favour.

You will be required to meet the cost of a GP or OH report. The amount and quality of advice can vary hugely, but if you ask specific questions and include more tailored information, you are likely to get a more helpful response. Phrase your questions in a supportive tone to keep the idea of returning to work live. Include a copy of the job description or outline the nature of the duties the employee is required to undertake, describe the working environment if there are relevant factors (you could even send a short video or photos of the workplace, showing someone doing the job and the physical requirements). Ask what work, if any, the employee may be able to do. It might be that the employee cannot return to their normal role but may be capable of undertaking restricted duties for a temporary period until fully recovered.

Ensure that the medical advisor is informed of what you may be able to consider in terms of changes to taks/working time etc – they can then advise accordingly and are more likely to make practical, specific suggestions which you can accommodate. You may find that you have to chase up the report as, whilst it may be a priority for you, it may not be to a GP or the surgery staff! Set yourself a weekly reminder to contact the surgery to ask for a progress report.

Communication

Good, open communication with absent employees is critical. In some cases (especially those which are stress-related) medical advisors suggest limited communication with work to allow the person to recover, free from interference or guilt, but for most, keeping in touch will help and may focus return to work plans. For employees on long-term absence, returning will be a daunting prospect; however if you keep them up to date with what’s going on, inform them of any important changes within the business and generally show concen as to how they’re getting on, it will help to reduce any feelings of hostility on the part of the employee and assist them when they do finally return to work. You can also ask the manager and colleagues to keep in touch.

Throughout the process, make it clear to the employee what will be happening, over what time-frame, and agree in advance how they would like to be communicated with. Ensure that this is regular enough to maintain the required levels of contact, but not so regular that it becomes overbearing or invasive. A monthly call will help you to keep in regular contact. At your first phone call, ask if it’s OK to call regularly and suggest they contact you if there are any questions in the meantime.

The employee may fear dismissal or, if they have exhausted sick pay, may feel relatively ‘safe’. Of course there may also be cases where you doubt the validity of the continued absence and these need managing even more closely.

The appropriate approach for each case must be carefully decided and discussed so expectations are clear.  There should be regular reviews and ongoing contact, with the employee being fully informed of your policies and procedures. Absentees can get mixed messages when sympathy turns to silence then to hounding. Aim to be fair and non-judgemental with a robust but consistent approach.

In most cases it’s best to meet with the employee periodically and, in many cases, a home visit is appropriate and welcomed by the employee, rather than having to attend the workplace. In such cases, do take someone along with you, and be prepared to find the employee’s spouse or partner sitting in on any meetings. If a home visit feels uncomfortable, consider using a suitable neutral alternative, such as a local hotel/meeting venue – this may be easier than the absentee attending their workplace (or yours, if not the same).

Proper consultation with the employee should include:

  • consideration of the employee’s opinion on their condition
  • consideration of how soon the employee’s health and attendance may improve and when a return to work is likely
  • consideration of a phased return, or of possible alternative employment
  • discussions with the employee regarding the possibility of seeking either further or independent medical opinion
  • discussions with the employee as to the stage when dismissal may be the outcome.

Managing the sick pay situation

Ensure that your administrative systems give you early prior warning when someone is due to run out of sick pay. If your contractual sick pay scheme is very generous, the employee may not realise that they are coming to the end of this. Equally, SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks in total – a long time for those off work and a time-scale that is easy to forget. Bear in mind also ‘linked periods’ where SSP has been claimed in a previous absence: the employee may not be eligible for the full 28 weeks for the current period of absence.

It’s good practice to warn the employee  of any forthcoming reduction in pay (where employees are malingering, this warning can bring about a sudden improvement in health and return to work!)  If any statutory benefits may be available,  advise how to set about checking any entitlement to these and how to claim them.

We often find that payroll is not informed in time, and that employees are overpaid as a result. In such cases, treat any overpayment with caution; whilst you may well have a clause in your contracts which allows you to deduct full repayment from any amounts owing, and whilst you are entitled to recover any overpayment, a sympathetic approach is more likely to ensure a good relationship continues. A phased repayment may be more appropriate.

In cases where you don’t have a claw-back clause in the contract or your policies, exercise greater caution and remember that whilst you do have a right to recover an overpayment of wages, this has to be exercised reasonably and with the employee’s prior agreement.

Holiday whilst on long-term sick

Workers still accrue their full statutory annual holiday (5.6 weeks) whilst absent on long-term sick leave. They must be given the opportunity to take this, even where that person has exhausted their entitlement to sick pay and where the person does no work at all during the holiday year.

The following applies to employees on long-term sick leave:

  • Ordinarily, at least the basic four weeks’ holiday entitlement under EU law must be taken within the leave year. However, if an employee has been unable to take this due to long-term illness, this should be carried forward to the next holiday year.
  • Workers may request to take annual leave during a period of sickness absence and may wish to do so if they have exhausted their entitlement to sick pay. So a worker can choose to come off sick leave, take paid holiday and then return to sick leave. (Whilst some employers may find this irritating, it does have the benefit of preventing the employee from building up a lot of holiday carried forward into future years, so can be easier to manage.)
  • If the worker does not elect to take their holiday entitlement during a leave year, if they have not had the opportunity to take the minimum four weeks’ statutory holiday, this should be carried forward. Payment cannot be made in lieu, unless the worker leaves your employment. The employer cannot insist on the worker taking the holiday instead of sick leave. For more details of carry forward and converting previously booked leave to sick pay, see our overview of the Working Time Regulations.
  • Workers must give appropriate notice that they intend to take paid holiday leave, this applies to workers on long-term sick leave in the same way as to those who are at work unless the employer chooses to have different arrangements.
  • On termination of employment only, the worker has the right to be paid for any accrued but untaken holiday entitlement.
  • A worker who is denied the right to either take the leave, or to be paid in lieu on termination, can bring a claim under either the WTR or under the Employment Rights Act 1996 as a deduction from wages claim or, as is more likely to be the case if there is any uncertainty, both.
  • You may wish to include in your future contracts a clause requiring employees to use accrued holiday during their notice period.

Disability

Be extra cautious of cases which may develop into a disability. This includes anxiety and stress, which can lead to depression.

There has been some debate on whether GPs and consultants should be asked to determine whether their patients are disabled. Case law states that it is not up to the GP or consultant to decide; the employer should decide, and an employment tribunal will then take its own view. We think that it is still worth asking the question, as someone with specialist medical skills is far more likely to have an informed opinion on whether a patient falls within the statutory definition, especially with regards to the expected duration of the condition.

For disabled employees, employers have an obligation to make reasonable adjustments or consider reasonable alternatives. Ultimately, fair dismissal is possible but all steps and procedures should be meticulously followed and recorded with dismissal being the absolute last resort.  If an adaptation proposed by either the employee or medical professional but the employer believes that it would be detrimental to the business and therefore not reasonable, they are not obliged to implement it.  The legal obligation extends to only those adaptations that are reasonable.

Fit notes

Fit notes can be very useful in helping you manage the sickness and it should be read carefully before taking any action.  Remember a fit note only comments on the employee’s fitness or otherwise for work in general and not necessarily about the individual tasks they undertake in their current role.  It may therefore be helpful to also obtain occupational health advice about their ability to return to work and carry out all of their duties, or adjust their duties for a period of time.  The fit note tells you whether they will need to return to see their doctor at the end of the fit note.  It also advises whether they are fit to return to light duties or over a phased period of time.  Remember the fit note is written as guidance to the employee as to whether or not they are capable of safely returning to work – if you have concerns about the fit note or believe that it would be risky for them to go back to their normal duties then consider carrying out a risk assessment and/or seeking occupational health guidance.

You should take a copy of any fit notes given to you for your records, but always return the original to the employee as they may need it for benefits or other purposes.

There is a useful guide for employers and line managers produced by the Department for Work & Pensions “Getting the most out of the fit note”.

Managing a return to work

Successful returns to work are crucial but many are unsuccessful and lead to prolonged absence and/or ongoing work difficulties. It’s worth considering how hard it is for long-term absentees to return to work if they feel unsupported or cut off. Where someone has suffered from an accident or serious health concern, such as cancer or a heart attack, a failure to maintain regular communications with the employee and to plan a successful return to work can lead to strong feelings of isolation.

Note that employees who are deemed fit to work in some capacity are required to continue their employment as a condition of receiving their full entitlement to Employment Support Allowance (ESA). To enable this to happen, you may need to make reasonable adjustments to support the employee’s return to work and facilitate his/her recovery. It may be that the employee can return on a phased basis, gradually increasing his/her hours/days until a return to normal contracted hours is reached. Adjustments to start/finish times can also assist, as can removing some of the normal duties of the role if these may have contributed to the original reason for absence.

Remember that it is also important to adjust the workload accordingly. There are many cases of people returning to work on a part-time basis following stress-related absence, who face the same full-time workload and same problems as they did before going off sick. It is then no surprise that a recurrence of the condition occurs, for which the employer would be liable as the damage would be clearly foreseeable. It’s always a good idea to set out time-scales for a phased return very clearly so that both you and the employee know what is expected. Confirm these in writing and monitor the return.

Employees in need of rehabilitation may require help to overcome a particular fear. In some cases, once their physical recovery is complete, depression or anxiety about returning to work may prove more debilitating than the original illness. Correctly diagnosing the specific issues preventing the individual from attending or performing at work is therefore critical. This may be helped by advice from an independent expert who can work with both the employee and the employer to plan the individual’s return to work. Depending on the extent of any physical or psychological damage, this could be as simple as adjusting working conditions or hours to support recovery from an operation, or as complex as offering cognitive behavioural therapy to desensitise the employee from a machine or situation that injured him/her. Cognitive behavioural therapy could also be used to overcome conditions such as agoraphobia that may have been triggered by an aggressive customer.

We’re sometimes asked whether the employee should be on full pay when returning on a phased basis. Use your judgement on this, depending on the circumstances and the expected duration of the part-time arrangement. The employee is only entitled to be paid for the hours he/she is able to work (so a part-time salary). This may be fine if sick pay has been exhausted, but if an entitlement to full contractual sick pay remains, to reduce the employee’s pay to a part-time salary which is less than the sick pay would be a positive disincentive to returning.

If the employee suggests permanent changes to the contract (ie a reduction in hours), then consider these carefully to see whether they are practicable.

Permanent health insurance

Where permanent health insurance policies are in place, the employment relationship can be ongoing even if there is no likelihood of a return to work. Again:
  • ensure that your administrative systems prompt you to inform an employee shortly before becoming entitled to PHI of the details of how to claim
  • check your contracts and your policy as many PHI policies only cover those who are still employees
  • remember that such employees will still accrue statutory leave and will retain their continuity of service. This is important in any future dismissals. You also need to discuss with your provider how you may organise for the employee to take holiday without losing the ongoing benefit of the PHI and having to start the claim afresh.
  • note also that employees on PHI should continue to receive any contractual benefits such as contractual holiday, a company car and life assurance (unless the contract contains a cut-off point).

Dismissal

Prior to considering dismissal, you should always request an up to date medical report (unless the employee refuses to give permission for this). If the report indicates that the employee is unlikely to be able to return to his/her job in the near future (if ever), and you have consulted and are unable to find any alternative work which is practical, then you may have to dismiss on grounds of ill-health.

A fair procedure would normally include the following:

  • Invite the employee to a meeting with you to discuss the situation. Your invitation should be made in writing, giving the reasons for the meeting and the fact that you are considering bringing the employment to an end due to ill health. Allow the employee sufficient time to prepare for the meeting and to arrange for a companion to be present if desired. We would recommend that you offer the employee the opportunity to be accompanied by a colleague or a trade union representative if he/she wishes. You could give the employee the option of having a relative present: you’re under no obligation to do so, but it might help put your employee at ease in a difficult situation. In the case of ill-health, it may be advisable to offer to hold the meeting at the employee’s home, or a local neutral venue, if the person is unable to travel. Note that a capability dismissal will normally be unfair if the employer fails to take reasonable steps to find out whether the employee is entitled to ill-health retirement benefits and therefore unreasonably deprives the employee of these, so do investigate this prior to making a decision.
  • At the meeting, discuss the reasons for the potential dismissal and the options you have explored to try to avoid this. Allow the employee to have his/her say before making a decision.
  • You might want to provide some details on who to contact regarding any benefits the employee may be entitled to or details on early retirement (see below). This gives the meeting a more supportive stance, making it less formal.
  • If the employee is capable of doing some work it is important that you offer alternative work if it is available. You may have to consider making minor modifications to the job and/or the workplace environment in order to facilitate the return to work (eg a change of shifts). However you do not have to create a vacancy. If considering other vacancies, give priority to such employees over other candidates, provided that they have the required skill set for the role.
  • It may be an option for the employee to take early retirement on ill-health grounds. Such action normally requires a doctor’s recommendation that the employee is permanently incapacitated and unable to undertake any full-time employment.
  • Consider the effect of the absence on your business, how similar situations have been handled in the past and whether the illness is a result of any disability.
  • If you decide to dismiss an employee on the grounds of ill-health or absenteeism, write to confirm the decision and explain why he/she is dismissed.
  • Specific rules apply to payments during notice for employees who are dismissed on grounds of ill-health. If the employee is unable to work out the notice period due to sickness:
    • if his/her contractual notice period is the minimum statutory notice only, full pay must be paid for the notice period
    • if he/she has contractual notice period which is at least a week longer than the statutory minimum, the appropriate absence payments should be made as normal (ie there is no difference during the notice period). If sick pay is exhausted, the notice period would be unpaid.
  • If you have consulted fully with the employee, you may feel that giving the opportunity to appeal would be meaningless.
Any employee with the requisite service (two years including a week’s statutory notice) can bring a claim to an employment tribunal if he/she feels that his/her dismissal was unfair. For short-term absences you would expect to see previous formal warnings; these will not be appropriate for an employee who has been absent for a long time with a severe illness and who, despite his/her best efforts, is not able to return to work.

Conclusion

Managing long-term absence has always been a delicate area of concern for employers as getting it wrong can be detrimental and very costly. Long-term absence has now become even more costly and returns delayed by accumulated holiday. This is likely to encourage more employers to take action earlier and to reconsider and possibly reduce generous contractual sick pay schemes.

When dealing with those on long-term sick leave:

  • Review each case on an individual basis and ensure you keep in regular contact with the employee.
  • Plan with the employee how and when to take his/her holiday entitlement.
  • Consider a phased return to work if this is practical.
  • Ensure that such employees are carefully managed, and not forgotten about. Be able to show that you have done everything you can.
  • Always aim to get a medical report prior to making a decision to dismiss and consider whether you have any suitable alternative employment which can be offered (but you don’t have to create a new role).
  • Remember that such workers will be entitled to notice on full pay if they are only entitled to statutory notice (or less than one week more than this).
  • Check the wording of any insurance schemes so that you are clear as to what the situation is regarding dismissal and also how the taking of paid holiday may affect benefits under the policy.
  • If you offer generous contractual holiday, consider whether to introduce a clause in contracts of employment which prevents annual leave over and above the statutory minimum from accruing during periods of long-term sick leave.

Legal considerations

Legislation permits the dismissal of an employee on the grounds of ‘capability’ which includes ill-health. All employees have a contractual obligation to attend work consistently. Dismissal will occur when the employer is not able to tolerate the effect of an employee’s absence any longer. In cases of genuine ill-health it is clearly a last resort. As with any dismissal, the essential legal test is whether the employer acted reasonably in treating the absence as a sufficient reason to dismiss.

Particular care needs to be taken with employees who are disabled and proper consideration given as to whether reasonable adjustments may enable the employee to return to work.

We are here to help

 

SHARE THIS:

Instagram

GET IN TOUCH

Got questions? Looking for advice?

GET IN TOUCH

Got questions? Looking for advice?

RELATED RESOURCES

Explore our comprehensive library of related resources to gain valuable insights, expert tips, and helpful tools for optimising your HR practices.

Request a Call from an HR Advisor

Our expert HR Advisors are here to assist you. To schedule a complimentary 30-minute call, please complete the form below. One of our advisors will reach out within 24 hours to either conduct the consultation or arrange a suitable time.

SIGN-UP FOR UPDATES

Receive all the latest industry insights, expert tips and exciting updates from HR Solutions, straight to your inbox.

Strategic HR thinking whitepaper

Our latest HR whitepaper offers an in-depth analysis and strategic framework aimed at transforming Human Resources into a pivotal element of business success in the rapidly evolving corporate environment of 2024.

PARTNER REGISTRATION

Register your details below and we will contact you regarding how HR Solutions can support your organisation.

MAKE A GENERAL ENQUIRY

We’re here to assist you with any questions or enquiries you might have. Simply fill out the form below, and our dedicated team will get back to you.

var iframe = document.getElementById('pageurl-general-popup-6'); iframe.src = iframe.src + "?Form_Completion_Page=" + window.location.pathname + "&" + window.location.search.substr(1);

REQUEST A PROPOSAL FROM US

We’re here to assist you with any questions or enquiries you might have. Simply fill out the form below, and our dedicated team will get back to you.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Please complete the form and one of our team will call you back to discuss your query/booking.

Request your free trial

Register your details below and we will contact you about your 30 day free trial of the HR Knowledge Base.

REGISTRATION FORM

Register your details below and we will contact you about access to the HR Knowledge Base.  As part of your approved industry membership organisation you can get access to the HR Knowledge Base, created by Business HR Solutions, which is the go-to resource for thousands of business owners and managers across the UK.

2023/2024 SME BUSINESS SURVEY

Our latest 2023/24 SME Business Survey sheds light on the intricate dynamics shaping the SME sector and unveils critical insights that can guide businesses toward sustainable success.

IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE HR ADVICE LINE TIME, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW.

HR Solutions are here to help. We offer a standard hourly rate package for ad hoc HR advice which means you can pay for what you need, whenever you need it, and then quickly get advice. Our highly experienced advisors are on hand to provide you with practical employment advice to help you manage your workforce.  You can purchase HR Advice Line time now, and the time purchased will be valid for 12 months.