Occupational Health Referrals For SMEs

Practical Support With Occupational Health Referrals And Workplace Health Issues

When an employee’s health begins to affect their attendance, performance or ability to carry out their role, employers often need more information than a fit note can provide. Occupational Health can provide independent medical advice to help employers make informed decisions whilst supporting employee wellbeing.

Knowing when to make a referral, what questions to ask and how to interpret the recommendations can be challenging. Kea HR can guide you through the process and help you use Occupational Health effectively as part of your wider absence management and employee wellbeing strategy.

When You Might Need Support

Employers commonly consider Occupational Health referrals when dealing with:

  • Long-term sickness absence
  • Frequent short-term absence
  • Stress, anxiety or other mental health concerns
  • Return-to-work planning
  • Reasonable adjustments
  • Disability-related absence
  • Performance concerns linked to health issues
  • Capability procedures
  • Fitness to attend workplace meetings
  • Ill-health retirement considerations

Obtaining the right medical information at the right time can help employers make better decisions and reduce the risk of absence issues becoming more complex.

Why Use Occupational Health?

Occupational Health focuses on the relationship between work and health. Unlike a GP, who is primarily concerned with diagnosis and treatment, Occupational Health professionals assess how an employee’s health affects their ability to carry out their role and what support may help them remain in or return to work.

An Occupational Health report can provide valuable guidance on:

  • Fitness for work
  • Likely return-to-work timescales
  • Phased returns
  • Workplace adjustments
  • Equality Act considerations
  • Ongoing restrictions or limitations

This information can help employers manage absence fairly, support employees appropriately and make informed management decisions.

How Kea HR Can Help

Kea HR can support employers throughout the Occupational Health referral process.

  • Advise whether an Occupational Health referral is appropriate
  • Recommend a suitable Occupational Health provider
  • Draft referral questions
  • Complete referral documentation
  • Review Occupational Health reports
  • Explain recommendations and practical implications
  • Support meetings with employees
  • Advise on reasonable adjustments
  • Assist with capability procedures
  • Integrate Occupational Health advice into absence management processes

Our role is to help employers obtain the information they need and use that information effectively when managing employee health and attendance issues.

Common Mistakes Employers Make

Common mistakes when using Occupational Health include:

  • Waiting too long before making a referral
  • Using Occupational Health as a disciplinary tool
  • Asking Occupational Health to make management decisions
  • Failing to act on Occupational Health recommendations
  • Assuming a fit note provides the same information as an Occupational Health report
  • Not obtaining appropriate employee consent
  • Failing to review recommendations over time

Occupational Health provides advice and recommendations. Management decisions remain the responsibility of the employer.

Why Choose Kea HR?

  • 30+ years’ HR experience supporting employers with sickness absence and employee wellbeing matters.
  • CIPD-qualified expertise in attendance management, reasonable adjustments and capability procedures.
  • Access to trusted Occupational Health providers across a range of specialist disciplines.
  • SME specialists providing practical and proportionate advice.
  • Support beyond the referral including interpretation of reports and implementation of recommendations.
  • Flexible support options tailored to your business and circumstances.

We help employers move from uncertainty to informed decision-making by ensuring Occupational Health advice is used effectively and appropriately.

Related Resources

You may also find the following resources helpful:

Ways To Work With Kea HR

Support with Occupational Health referrals can be provided through:

The most appropriate option will depend on the complexity of the situation and the level of support required.

Need Help With An Occupational Health Referral?

Speak directly with our CIPD-qualified HR expert with 30+ years’ experience.


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