Occupational Health Referrals

4th July 2019

Occupational Health referrals are often required when dealing with sickness absence or performance management to support both the School and the employee with a medical opinion on health related issues.

In order to maximise the benefit of the report, it is important that  the right questions are asked as part of the referral to enable the Occupational Health practitioner to assess the individual and practical adviceand guidance to School .

Occupational Health can support with:

• Determining whether an illness is covered under the Equality Act 2010 in their medical opinion
• Advice on whether an employee if fit to attend a management meeting or hearing
• Whether reasonable adjustments are required or advised and examples of what they might be
• Advice on an appropriate phased return to work plan
• Advice on a likely length of time until the employee will be fit to return

It is important to remember Occupational Health reports contain advice for the School, however, the practitioner will not be aware of School policy or what is viable for the School in relation to reasonable adjustments.

For further detail please also refer to you School’s Sickness Absence policy and ensure compliance if applicable.

The employee must consent to the referral and may delay or withhold School accessing the report. This is part of their rights , however in the absence of Occupational Health information School can only make decisions of the information they have access to.

If you require further advice, please contact your HR Consultant on 0161 850 4343.