For many businesses, the purpose of making contact with ‘occupational health (OH)’ is to establish if an employee is well enough to resume work. OH physicians consults with the employee about their health (physical/mentally) to determine if the employee is able to resume work as normal or if reasonable adjustments need to be made.
Before the employer can contact OH, a welfare meeting must be arranged to explain to the employee why an OH appointment is required. Arranging a welfare meeting (face to face or via team/zoom) allows an open communication to discuss the current ongoing medical condition. It also shows the importance of supporting the employee when unwell.
Medical condition
There are many different OH specialist services which is helpful when assessing the medical condition and the impact that it would have if returning back to work. OH services range from physiotherapists, psychologists, chiropodists and many more. OH is a paid for service and charges vary around the country.
Medical Reports Act 1988
Subject to agreement, the employee signs a OH agreement form. OH have a number of ways to arrange the appointment; this could be face to face, over the telephone or via Zoom/Teams. The matter is then dealt with in a confidential manner, in line with Access to Medical Reports Act 1988. Information is handled in a sensitive manner following GDPR guidelines.
It is important to note that the employee has the right to review the medical report before it gets to the employer. The employee can make amendments or can withhold the report. It is their choice. Should the employee decide not to share the report with the employer, the employer will base their decision without the benefit of expert medical evidence which can put the employee at a detriment.
It is important to hold a follow up meeting to discuss the contents of the report or why the employee does not want to disclose the report if applicable. Such meetings can be difficult, should you require further employment support please contact the Quest HR Advise Line on 01455 852 028.
