Do I have to hold a return-to-work meeting after sickness absence?
No, return-to-work meetings are not required by law. However, they are one of the most effective ways to manage absence, so hold one after every period of sickness.
The law does not require a return-to-work meeting. However, it is one of the most effective tools an employer has.
It is a short, private conversation on the employee's first day back. It does three things:
- confirms the reason for the absence
- brings up anything at work or at home behind it
- picks up any support or adjustments that would help
For a straightforward absence, ten minutes is enough. The value is in doing it every time: when people know each absence is followed by a conversation, casual absence drops.