What is the role of Occupational Health?

What is the role of Occupational Health?

When an employee has a frequent amount or a long term sickness an employer may chose to refer them to occupational health (OH).

It is best practice to have a clearly documented policy to explain when you will refer employees.

Normally a referral to OH is carried out when an employee’s absent is a concern or if they have been signed off for long term (4 weeks or more)

Having a trusted, local OH provider that you can refer employee’s to is like gold dust.

OH partner with employers to give the following advice:

• reason for absence
• likely lenth of absence
• any underlying medical conditions
• potential return to work date
• reasonable adjustments for the employer to consider

As the employer you can request that your employee to attend a face to face or have a video OH assessment.  

Following the employee assessment OH will will send you a report answering your questions. Then together with your HR advisor you can consider their recommendations and consult with your employee.

If you have a concern about one of your employee’s sickness absence and would like some support contact us at Foreshore HR by emailing sam@foreshorehr.com