{"id":17033,"date":"2025-09-25T16:56:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T16:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=17033"},"modified":"2026-10-26T16:11:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T16:11:24","slug":"managing-long-term-sickness-absence-contacting-the-employee-and-obtaining-medical-evidence","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/managing-long-term-sickness-absence-contacting-the-employee-and-obtaining-medical-evidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing long-term sickness absence: Contacting the employee and obtaining medical evidence\/information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f85887e8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-929090b5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By <strong><strong>Dr Paul Nicholson<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This series of leading practice guides discusses the management of long-term sickness absence to facilitate a successful return to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sign up today to get:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Recording absence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Initial contact with the employee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Keeping in touch with the employee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Fit notes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Obtaining medical information\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Medical reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Occupational health reports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bg-light-blue-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f1e3dc65 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 id=\"h-want-to-see-more\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14.642px, 0.915rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.708), 22px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-bm-inline-sentence is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.385), 18px);\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For full access to our How-to guide:<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.385), 18px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Managing long-term sickness absence: Contacting the employee and obtaining medical evidence\/information<\/h2>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.385), 18px);\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> sign up to a HR and Compliance Centre subscription today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-22a7c014 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigate HR complexity with confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Brightmine, you can build powerful people strategies, implement best practices and set your organisation up for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn how our tools, resources and automation can empower you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/solutions\/?intcmp=cta|blog|solutions|learn-more\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-64c039dc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-a7dce961 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-18462 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blogs topic-learning-development\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.192), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/learning-development\/line-manager-training-gap\/\" target=\"_self\" >The new supervisor training gap<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-15320 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-tools topic-policies\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.192), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/policies\/long-term-sickness-absence-policy\/\" target=\"_self\" >Long-term sickness absence policy<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-16525 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-c-and-i topic-absence-management\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.192), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/managing-sickness-absence\/\" target=\"_self\" >How to manage sickness absence<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f1e3dc65 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-elements-1a99c58b114097d7ed01b37dda17e8f9 wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-gray-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div 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&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f1e3dc65 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-topics-on-this-page\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Topics on this page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-topic has-link-color wp-elements-5ec59eb01c09ec2f1d84a6b36973ff83 wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/\" rel=\"tag\">Absence management<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cararra-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cararra-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-about-the-author\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-a903a136 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/13162251\/male-speaker-avatar.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15123\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dr Paul Nicholson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Paul Nicholson OBE is an occupational physician with experience in military\/aviation, chemicals\/petrochemicals manufacture, consumer products research and development, and office and manufacturing environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He has authored more than 150 publications on topics that include health risk communication; occupational asthma; occupational contact dermatitis; shift work; ageing and work; alcohol, drugs and work; business resilience; and COVID-19 and work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6c66168f8c2d584c99e9179953a85813 wp-block-paragraph\">His special interests include promoting best practice and the professional standing of occupational health and wellbeing through the judicious application of evidence-based medicine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This guide explores how to manage long\u2011term sickness absence, including maintaining contact with employees and obtaining medical evidence to support a return to work. It helps employers take a structured and supportive approach to managing absence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":17311,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[12],"tags":[],"topic":[30],"class_list":["post-17033","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-how-to","topic-absence-management"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Managing long-term sickness absence: Contacting the employee and obtaining medical evidence\/information | Brightmine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to manage long\u2011term sickness absence, including maintaining contact with employees and obtaining medical evidence to support a successful return to work\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/managing-long-term-sickness-absence-contacting-the-employee-and-obtaining-medical-evidence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Managing long-term sickness absence: Contacting the employee and obtaining medical evidence\/information\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to manage long\u2011term sickness absence, including maintaining contact with employees and obtaining medical evidence to support a successful return to work\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/managing-long-term-sickness-absence-contacting-the-employee-and-obtaining-medical-evidence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" 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