Human Resources

Occupational Health Service

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Why should our staff be allowed to self refer to Occupational Health? Doesn’t this interfere with managers managing them?

This enables health issues (some of a very sensitive or embarrassing nature) to be dealt with in confidence without managers/HR necessarily needing to know. This means staff can remain at work with support rather than becoming stressed or upset. It also helps employees to know they have a caring employer.

2.  Why do GP’s keep issuing sick certificates for a week or two at a time when they know that someone is likely to need a month or even several months off? This doesn’t help us when trying to arrange cover for a department. If we knew in advance we could get a temp in.

GPs are directed to do this by the GP Commission. If someone is unwell enough to be off for a long period then best practice dictates that they and their situation are reviewed regularly rather than write sick certificates for long periods. Usually occupational health will be able to advise management on the likely length of sickness absence.

3.  Should I bother to inform Occupational Health about staff sickness absence - won’t they automatically do something when they receive the sick certificate?

Staff should be Management Referred as soon as possible once sickness absence is known to allow for early intervention where health problems could impact on work. We often don’t receive the certificates until several weeks after they are sent into their department.