The aim of this process is to advise employers on the management of short and long term sickness absence, to advise on timely rehabilitation and resettlement of employees on their return to work and to advise on the suitability of ill health retirement.

The benefits of sickness absence and case management include:

• Sustaining low levels of sickness absence
• Supporting managers to manage ill health in the workplace
• Improving employee wellbeing, health awareness and sustainability of health at work
• Ensuring compliance with workplace health-related legislation

Employers may wish to refer their employees for the following reasons:

• An employee has been, or is likely to be, absent from work for an extended period
• An employee takes regular short-term absence
• An employee has a possible work-related ill health problem or a health-related work problem
• An employee develops a chronic or long-term illness or disability
• An employee has been involved in a work accident that has resulted in injury or ill health
• Concerns regarding an employee’s performance or fitness for their duties
• An employee who has declared or is suspected of having an alcohol or drug related problem
• Concerns that an employee may be affected by hazards at work, e.g. pregnancy