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How to manage and conduct return-to-work interviews

Return-to-work interviews are a key tool in effective sickness absence management. This guide explains how to plan, conduct and follow up return-to-work interviews for short- and long-term absences, helping employers support employees and manage absence consistently.

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By Claire Watt

One of the main tools used in effective sickness absence management is return-to-work interviews. A return-to-work interview is a meeting between the employer and an employee returning to work after a period of sickness absence. The interview is usually conducted by the employee’s line manager. In relation to long-term sickness absence, return-to-work interviews will normally take place prior to the actual return to work of the employee. This is because details of a possible phased return or adjustments may need to be discussed in advance of the date that the employee starts back at work.

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  • Role of return-to-work interviews in short-term and long-term sickness absences
  • Deciding on a policy on return-to-work interviews
  • Training in conducting the interview
  • Setting up the interview
  • Preparing for the interview
  • Conducting the interview
  • Outcome of the interview

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Updated to take account of the General Data Protection Regulation, in force from 25 May 2018

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About the author

Claire Watt

Claire Watt is the founding director of Ditton HR, which offers HR and training services to organisations to ensure that they have easy access to high quality HR advice and support.

Claire is a qualified HR and training professional who is a fellow member of the CIPD and has more than 14 years’ experience in HR and training, 11 years as leading the HR function. Claire is a psychology graduate with a master’s in personnel and development and qualified in psychometric testing (Level A and B). Her experience spans across the legal profession, retail, tourism, not-for-profit and charitable sectors. Her most recent role before starting at Ditton HR was as executive director of people at Samaritans.

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