Return to Work Meeting (Acas)

Open Legal LibraryUpdated 9 Oct 2025

This template provides a structured framework for conducting and recording return-to-work meetings following an employee's sick leave. It guides discussions on the reasons for absence, fitness to return, and any necessary support or reasonable adjustments to facilitate a smooth reintegration into the workplace. This ensures compliance and proper documentation of the process.

Template Return to Work Meeting

Use this template to structure and record a return to work meeting after sick leave.

Date: [meeting date]

Employee name: [employee name]

Name and role of person carrying out the meeting: [meeting conductor name], [meeting conductor role]

Updates

Have you updated the employee on any changes at work while they have been away?

Yes / no

[give details]

Confidentiality

Have you let the employee know that the information they share will stay confidential?

You should only share this information with someone else if the employee agrees that you need to.

Yes / no

[give details]

Details of absence

What was the reason for the absence?

[give details]

Was the absence linked to disability or pregnancy?

Yes / no

[give details]

Length of absence:

[give details]

Number of days of absence in the last 12 months:

[For organisations with an absence trigger point policy] Is the employee close to reaching any absence trigger points?

Yes / no

[If they have reached a trigger point] Have you agreed a date for an absence review to discuss further support?

Yes / no

Discussion questions

Is the employee ready to return to work?

Yes / no

Do they have a doctor’s note saying they are fit for work?

Yes / no

Has their doctor recommended any actions, for example a phased return to work?

Yes / no

[give details]

Have you agreed any actions to support the employee’s return to work?

This might include:

reasonable adjustments – required by law (Equality Act 2010) to reduce or remove a disadvantage related to someone’s disability

an occupational health referral

mental health support

changes to the employee's hours or duties

Yes / no

[give details]

Is there anything that might affect their recovery or cause the sickness to happen again?

Yes / no

[give details]

Next steps

Has the employee already returned to work?

Yes / no

If not, have you agreed a date for the employee to return?

Yes / no

[give details] Include date of next review meeting if they are not returning

5.0 out of 5 on Google

Read reviews

As seen in

Law360
Artificial Lawyer
Insider
Axios Pro
San Francisco Business Times
Built In
Startups Magazine
Business Reporter
Tech.eu
Jurisdiction
General
Source
Return to Work Meeting by Acas
from Acas
Document info
HTML document. Document created on Fri Sep 26th, 2025. Last updated on Thu Oct 9th, 2025.
This document is public
Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (Attribution).
Come to agreements faster
Write, review, negotiate, and manage legal contracts
Related documents
FeaturedEngland & Wales
Reasonable Adjustment Request (UK) (Acas)
This letter template helps employees formally request reasonable adjustments to their working conditions to better manage their health or disability. It includes sections to describe health impacts, propose specific changes like altered start times, and suggest ways to mitigate any impact on the business.
Updated 13 Aug 2026
England & Wales
Night Workers Health Assessment Questionnaire by Business Gateway
This health assessment questionnaire allows employees scheduled for night work to identify medical conditions that may be affected by their shifts. It facilitates compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998 by providing a confidential mechanism for medical review.
Updated 13 Aug 2026
Cell Phone Policy by EasyLegalDocs
This workplace policy outlines safety and productivity rules for using mobile devices on company premises. It prohibits cell phone use near heavy machinery, while driving, or in meetings, while allowing it for emergencies and in designated safe zones.
Updated 13 Aug 2026
US
Drugs and Alcohol Policy by EasyLegalDocs
This policy sets out workplace rules regarding the use and possession of alcohol and controlled substances, including marijuana and prescription medications. It applies to all employees, subcontractors, and consultants to maintain a safe work environment and outlines the consequences of being under the influence at work.
Updated 13 Aug 2026
General
Employee Code of Conduct by EasyLegalDocs
This employee code of conduct establishes professional expectations for behavior, confidentiality, and legal compliance within a workplace. It outlines rules for treating colleagues with respect, avoiding conflicts of interest, and using company resources responsibly.
Updated 13 Aug 2026
General
Clean Desk Policy by EasyLegalDocs
This policy mandates that staff clear their workstations of sensitive documents and hardware when unattended to prevent unauthorized access. It establishes specific rules for confidential disposal, workstation locking, and the secure storage of removable media like USB drives and tablets.
Updated 13 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

A template isn't binding on its own - like any contract, it becomes binding once it's properly completed and signed. Templates in our curated library are professionally drafted for US or UK law; review any template before you sign it.

Yes. Chat with GitLaw to edit any section, or make changes directly in the editor.

Yes, read about team plans here.

Describe what you need in the chat and GitLaw will draft it for you.

Templates in our curated library are professionally drafted for US or UK law. The wider library comes from the GitLaw community and public sources - a solid starting point, but check any template fits your situation before you rely on it.

Mostly US and UK law. Some templates use general commercial terms that work across jurisdictions, and many note which law they're written for.

It depends on the situation. Templates work well for routine business agreements. For anything involving significant money, complex IP, employment, or areas you're unsure about, it's worth getting professional advice before you sign. GitLaw provides templates and tools, not legal advice.

Open any template in GitLaw and describe the change you want in the chat — 'make clause 4 mutual' or 'add a 30-day notice period', for example. GitLaw drafts the revised language and shows it as a suggested edit. You accept, reject, or keep editing from there.

Yes. Upload a Word, PDF, or Markdown file and GitLaw will open it in the editor. You can review, edit, or chat with GitLaw about it the same way you would with any template from the library.

Trusted by 5,000+ businesses

Nexus logoMlabs logoTechstars logo

From template to signed, in one place

Every template opens in an editor with an AI agent alongside it.

1

Open

Pick a template and open it. Nothing to download, and no credit card to start.

Free to open

2

Edit with AI

Describe your situation in chat and the agent adapts the wording, clause by clause.

Tracked changes you can review

3

Send and sign

Share it for negotiation, then collect signatures without leaving GitLaw.

eSign included

Built for your legal work,
with practicing lawyers

Trained on 5,500+ clauses and specialist areas of law. Built with a standards committee of independent lawyers.

As seen in

Law360
Artificial Lawyer
Insider
Axios Pro
San Francisco Business Times
Built In
Startups Magazine
Business Reporter
Tech.eu

Ready to get started?

No sales calls, no credit card. Just chat with GitLaw.

GitLaw provides templates and tools, not legal advice. Templates are a starting point, not a substitute for advice on your situation - for anything significant, speak to a qualified lawyer.