Absence Management Clinic
Practical support for managing employee absence and supporting sustainable returns to work
Managing sickness absence can be challenging for employers, particularly when an employee has a complex health condition, repeated absences or an uncertain return-to-work timeframe.
Our Absence Management Clinic provides employers with timely, independent and practical health advice to help understand how an employee’s health may be affecting their ability to work and what support may help them return and remain in work.
We work with employers to provide clear, practical recommendations that can support informed absence-management and workplace decisions.
Professional Workplace Wellbeing Services
Our clinic can help employers understand:
- How an employee’s health may affect their ability to undertake their role.
- Whether the employee may be fit to return to work.
- Potential timescales for a return to work.
- Whether a phased return may be appropriate.
- What workplace adjustments may support the employee.
- Whether temporary changes to duties or working hours may be beneficial.
- Potential barriers to returning to work.
- Whether an employee may be able to sustain attendance.
- Whether further medical assessment or treatment may be appropriate.
- Whether a further review may be beneficial.
Recommendations are tailored to the employee, their role and the specific circumstances of the referral.
Ad Hoc or Ongoing Support
Our Absence Management Clinic can be used on an ad hoc basis, making it suitable for employers who do not require a full-time or contracted absence management service. You can refer employees when support is needed rather than committing to a large ongoing programme.
For organisations with regular absence-management requirements, we can also discuss an ongoing service arrangement or agreed service-level agreement.
Confidential and Independent
Employee confidentiality is central to our service.
The employee will be informed about the purpose of the assessment and how information will be used.
Reports provided to the employer focus on information relevant to the workplace, including functional impact, fitness for work and practical recommendations, rather than unnecessary medical detail.
Our role is to provide independent professional advice. The employer remains responsible for making employment and absence-management decisions.
When Should You Use an Absence Management Clinic?
The service can be particularly useful where an employee:
Has been absent for an extended period
Where an employee has been absent for several weeks or months and the employer requires professional advice regarding their potential return to work.
Has an uncertain return-to-work date
Where the employer needs advice about whether a return appears foreseeable and what factors may affect the timescale.
Has multiple or recurring absences
Where an employee has a pattern of sickness absence and the employer would benefit from understanding potential health-related barriers to sustained attendance.
Has a complex health condition
Where an employee has one or more physical or psychological health conditions that may affect their ability to work.
Is preparing to return to work
Where advice is required regarding a phased return, temporary restrictions or workplace adjustments.
Has experienced a change in health
Where an employee’s health has changed and the employer needs to understand the potential impact on their role.
What Does the Clinic Involve?
Our process is straightforward.
1. Referral
The employer provides information about the employee, their role, absence history and the questions they would like the assessment to address.
2. Employee Assessment
The employee participates in a confidential consultation with an appropriately qualified professional.
The assessment explores their health, symptoms, functional ability, treatment and the potential impact on their work.
3. Professional Assessment
The information is considered in the context of the employee’s role and workplace demands.
4. Written Report
The employer receives a clear report addressing the agreed referral questions and providing practical recommendations.
5. Workplace Recommendations
Where appropriate, recommendations may cover return-to-work planning, adjustments, temporary restrictions and ongoing support.
What Can We Advise On?
Depending on the individual referral, recommendations may include:
Return to work
- Whether a return to work appears appropriate.
- Potential return-to-work timeframe.
- Phased return arrangements.
Working hours
- Temporary reduction in hours.
- Gradual increase in working hours.
- Flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
Duties
- Temporary modification of duties.
- Reduction or prioritisation of workload.
- Avoidance of specific activities where clinically appropriate.
Workplace support
- Regular management check-ins.
- Additional supervision or support.
- Rest breaks.
- Workload management.
- Environmental or ergonomic adjustments.
Ongoing absence
- Factors potentially affecting recovery.
- Potential barriers to return.
- Whether further medical input may be beneficial.
- Whether a further occupational health review may be appropriate.
Why Use Our Absence Management Clinic?
✔ Fast and practical
Timely advice can help employers make informed decisions rather than allowing uncertainty around an employee’s absence to continue.
✔ Individualised
Every assessment is based on the employee’s health, role and specific circumstances.
✔ Workplace focused
Recommendations are designed around what may practically support the employee at work.
✔ Preventative
Early advice can help identify barriers before they contribute to prolonged or recurring absence.
✔ Flexible
Use the service when you need it, whether for one employee or multiple referrals.
✔ Clear reporting
Reports provide practical answers to the employer’s referral questions and clear recommendations.
Who Is the Service For?
Our Absence Management Clinic can support:
- Small and medium-sized businesses.
- Large organisations.
- HR departments.
- People & Culture teams.
- Schools and educational organisations.
- Housing associations.
- Professional services firms.
- Healthcare organisations.
- Charities.
- Manufacturing and engineering
- businesses.
- Public-sector organisations.
Supporting HR Teams
Our aim is to make absence management easier for HR and managers by providing clear, practical health information that can support workplace decision-making. Rather than simply confirming whether someone is “fit” or “unfit”, our assessments can explore:
What can the employee do? What are the barriers to returning? What support could help? And is a sustainable return to work foreseeable?
This provides employers with more useful information when considering the next steps in an absence-management process.
A Practical Approach to Absence Management
Understand the health → Understand the work impact → Identify barriers → Recommend practical support → Plan a sustainable return
Our Absence Management Clinic provides employers with the information they need to approach sickness absence proactively, fairly and supportively. Please note the absence management clinic does not involve treating or diagnosing and the employee should seek advice from their treating specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
We aim to offer appointments as quickly as possible, subject to availability and the employee’s circumstances. Urgent referrals can be discussed when making the referral.
Yes. Appropriate employee consent will be obtained before the assessment is undertaken and before relevant information is shared with the employer.
Yes. Following the assessment, a written report can be provided to the employer, subject to the employee’s consent.
Yes. Where appropriate, the report may recommend adjustments to working hours, duties, workload, working arrangements or other aspects of the workplace.
Where reasonably possible, we can provide an opinion on potential return-to-work timescales. However, health recovery is unpredictable and a specific date cannot always be provided.
No. The Absence Management Clinic is not an emergency medical service. Employees with urgent medical concerns should seek appropriate medical attention.
No. The service provides workplace-focused professional advice and does not replace an employee’s treating healthcare professionals.
Yes. Follow-up assessments and ongoing arrangements can be discussed where appropriate.
Contact us to discuss your requirements or arrange an assessment.
Book an Absence Management Service
Do you have an employee who has been absent for an extended period, has recurring sickness absence or requires advice about returning to work?
Appointments are subject to availability and employee consent.
Do you have an employee who has been absent for an extended period, has recurring sickness absence or requires advice about returning to work?
We can help.
- Call Today 08000 622 576
- 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX
Schedule an Appointment