Such interviews may cover:
The period of absence Developments while that employee was away Adjustments to the employee’s role, working hours, etc, upon return A team or company catch-up
These interviews can be used for both short and long-term absences such as:
Sickness Compassionate leave Maternity/paternity/adoption leave Career breaks or sabbaticals
When an employee returns to work, their line manager will invite the employee to a meeting where they can sit down in private to have a face-to-face discussion. This doesn’t have to be overly formal – in fact, an informal discussion is often more effective. The discussion and outcomes are usually formally recorded. This article will explore when return-to-work interviews should be conducted, what should be covered, and questions that may be pertinent. Knowing that any absence will require a conversation with a line manager should reduce malingering or not-so-serious absences. It will also allow employees taking a genuine leave of absence to discuss any problems and work with the company to make any necessary adjustments. A thorough return-to-work interview will help to get an employee back up to speed quickly after a long absence, and will ensure they feel supported and valued.
When Should You Conduct a Return-to-Work Interview?
A return-to-work interview must be conducted as soon as the employee returns to work – usually the day they get back. Getting the return-to-work interview completed before the employee begins working on the day they return will make sure that they are fit and ready to be back. They can get straight into their work. Sometimes, it might be better to have a return-to-work interview before the employee is scheduled to start. Long-term absences (over four weeks) often need specific management and usually require some form of phased return, reduced hours or altered duties.
What Should Be Covered in a Return-to-Work Interview?
The most important thing to remember is that it should be a ‘welcome back’ to the employee. It is not meant to be an interrogation. A return-to-work interview should cover the following:
1. Ensure That the Employee Is Fit to Return to Duties
This is the most important step and shows that the employer really cares about the employee’s health and wellbeing. If the employee has been unwell, you might want to sensitively ask questions regarding the wider issues around the absence. While some instances might just be an unfortunate illness, you might be able to prevent further absences if you can get to the root cause of the problem. Is your employee struggling with a problem at home, like an unwell or elderly relative, or an issue with childcare? Are they under stress because of a problem at work such as bullying? Having a frank conversation about these issues enables you as an employer to understand the core issue and work with the employee to improve their situation. This ensures that they don’t feel like they have missed something in their absence.
3. Check Their Absence Record
A return-to-work interview is also an opportunity to make sure the employee’s absence record is correct. Listing the dates, reason for absence and ensuring these are correct means that both the line manager and the company can be aware of any absence trends. If the employee has hit a trigger point for too many absences, they may not be entitled to sick pay or may face further sanctions depending on company policy. Some businesses use the Bradford Factor to calculate the impact of repeat absences on the company; others have formal processes in place to manage their employees’ absences. The return-to-work interview is the place where these can be brought to the employee’s attention.
4. Discuss Any Changes That Need to Be Made
When an employee returns to work, they may need reasonable adjustments to be made for them to be comfortable. This information might be contained within a fit note from a doctor or may be requested by the employee; in the interview, you can discuss what is needed. After a long-term absence, it is likely that the employee will have negotiated a phased return or adjusted hours, as well as a change to duties. The meeting should be used as a starting point to discuss a strategy that works for both the company and the employee.
Questions to Ask at a Return-to-Work Interview
Some questions you will have to ask will be fact-finding. These include confirming the dates and reasons for the absence, if needed. However, when it comes to getting to the root cause of the problem (if there is one), or gently probing about medical issues or changes in the workplace, it can be helpful to have an idea of how to phrase a question so that you don’t come across as intimidating. A question like “How are you feeling?” is a simple way to show support of your employee, and will also let you know if they feel ready to back. Try asking them if there is anything you can do to help them on a day-to-day basis, or if they need any adjustments. Remember, being objective means that you need to remove any judgement from your questions. So, instead of asking, “Why are you always off on a Friday?” Try asking: Asking a question in a supportive manner might encourage the employee to mention that they have a childcare problem that day, or that is when their elderly relative needs to be taken to an appointment. To make sure that there are no underlying issues in the workplace, ask open questions like, These might help to uncover a cause that you need to take further action on. Whenever you are asking questions, just focus on the idea that it is an informal conversation and the result is to prevent further absences. If you can ask gentle questions, be sensitive in your manner and empathise, you are more likely to get a full and frank discussion, and a positive result that benefits the company and the employee. Remember, your employee should never feel obligated to reveal any sensitive medical details if they don’t feel comfortable. A good return-to-work interview will support the employee in their return and will prevent malingering or unauthorised absence. Open questioning and a procedure that is supportive and inclusive will make the employee’s return to work comfortable and easy.
