Return to Work Meeting by Acas
This template provides a structured framework for conducting and documenting a return to work meeting following an employee's sick leave. It guides the person carrying out the meeting through essential discussion points, including updates, confidentiality, details of the absence, the employee's readiness to return, and any necessary support or reasonable adjustments, referencing legal requirements like the Equality Act 2010.
Return to Work Meeting (Template)
Use this template to structure and record a return to work meeting after sick leave.
Date:
Employee name:
Name and role of person carrying out the meeting:
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]
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This version is drafted for England & Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland differ on some points — for example notice periods and tribunal procedure. Tell GitLaw where you hire and it adjusts the draft.
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