4. Follow employee absence with return to work interviews

These interviews can be useful in identifying absence problems at an early stage. You should conduct return to work interviews in order to:

•	Welcome employees back
•	Check they are well enough to be at work
•	Update employees on any news while they were off
•	Identify the cause of the absence
•	Find out whether they have a disability and whether the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 apply, such as making a reasonable adjustment
•	Discuss any help you might provide to ease the employee's return to work
•	Establish if their sickness is work-related and whether there are any health and safety issues you need to address.

Interviews should be conducted sensitively to find out if there are any underlying issues such as domestic problems.
Remember the employee might be building up to revealing
personal information about themselves, so find a quiet private place to hold the discussion.

More managing absence tips