Integrated absence management and occupational health

Absence management and occupational health services share similar goals around maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. By coordinating the two, organisations can achieve significant synergies and improve the resolution of absence cases.

Employees that report sick due to a work-related or potential long-term illness should be immediately referred to occupational health to ensure they get the fastest possible access to treatment. The physician can establish the seriousness of the case and provide the line manager and employee with advice for speedy recovery. Early intervention practices are particularly effective for dealing with reoccurring musculoskeletal and mental health problems, which make up a growing proportion of UK-wide absences.