It’s important that both the employer and employee stay in regular contact during absence, especially if it's long term.

They should agree:

• how often the contact should be
• if the contact is to be by email, phone or face-to-face meetings
• who the employee is to be in contact with – this might be their line manager, another manager or an HR manager

Keeping in contact is a good chance to:

• check on the wellbeing of the employee 
• see if the employee needs any support
• talk about any relevant updates or changes happening at work

Where an employee’s absence is due to a mental health condition, it’s particularly important to consider whether less or more frequent contact is most appropriate.

See more on supporting someone with a mental health issue.