How do I deal with a long term sick employee?

How to manage long-term sickness absence

Step 1: Hold a formal stage 1 absence meeting.
Step 2: Take notes during the meeting.
Step 3: Follow up in writing.
Step 4: Document the business impact of the employee’s absence.
Step 5: Consult with health care professionals.
Step 7: Hold a stage 2 absence meeting.

What happens when you return to work after sick leave?

These changes are known as ‘reasonable adjustments’ and could include working shorter hours or adapting equipment employees use at work. Employees can get free advice from Fit to Work on managing health conditions at work and returning to work from sick leave. Employees who are off work sick for more than 4 weeks may be considered long-term sick.

Can a company dismiss an employee who is sick for 4 weeks?

Employees who are off work sick for more than 4 weeks may be considered long-term sick. A long-term sick employee is still entitled to annual leave. Dismissing a long-term sick employee. As a last resort, employers can dismiss an employee who is long-term sick, but before they can do this employers must:

Can you get annual leave if you are sick for 4 weeks?

Employees who are off work sick for more than 4 weeks may be considered long-term sick. A long-term sick employee is still entitled to annual leave. As a last resort, employers can dismiss an employee who is long-term sick, but before they can do this employers must:

When do you need a sick note for work and how many days?

Fit notes are free if the employee has been ill for more than 7 days when they ask for one. The doctor might charge a fee if they ask for the fit note earlier. The fit note will say the employee is either ‘not fit for work’ or ‘may be fit for work’.

Can a sick employee stay on the job indefinitely?

It’s a common thought that Employers are expected to keep a sick employee’s job open indefinitely, however this is not the case – although it is necessary to follow a fair procedure to manage a long term absence situation.

How many hours do you have to work for paid sick leave?

The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act requires you to pay an employee for hours the employee would have been normally scheduled to work even if that is more than 40 hours in a week. However, the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act requires that paid sick leave be paid only up to 80 hours over a two-week period.

When does an employee return to work after long term sickness?

When an employee is returning to work following long-term sickness absence, their line manager should arrange to meet informally with them. Ideally, the return-to-work interview will take place prior to the employee’s return to work, to allow time for any necessary adjustments to be made to the employee’s working arrangements and conditions.

Why do employers need a long-term sickness absence policy?

A watertight long-term sickness absence policy can give employees who are off work for an extended period the best chance of returning to work, and reduce the risk of employers facing disability discrimination or unfair dismissal claims. How should employers formulate their long-term sickness absence policy?