Keeping in touch during absence
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.