Rehabilitation and Return to Work Policy

Policy Statement

[Organisation’s name]’s policy is to take all reasonable steps to prevent work-related ill health, and to support the general health and wellbeing of its employees. To implement this policy, [organisation’s name] will:

make sure that the causes of ill health that may arise from its activities are, wherever possible, identified, understood, and either prevented or controlled
manage health problems through early recognition and monitoring
manage early return to work after sickness certification and, wherever possible, support rehabilitation after prolonged illness
provide reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities to support them in employment
provide employees with information and services to help them take personal responsibility for maintaining and improving their own health.

Legal Requirements

To comply with the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and with associated legislation, {{org_field_name}} must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure the health, safety and welfare of its staff. This includes, where relevant, the suitable and adequate provision of occupational health support.

Organisation

The organisation of occupational health provision is the responsibility of [name and job title].

Responsibilities

In relation to occupational health, [name and job title] is responsible for:

promoting the involvement of employees in health matters through clearly defined roles and responsibilities and access to relevant information and services
implementing a management system which will undertake risk assessments, manage occupational health risks in proportion to their extent, and measure implementation actions through local audit, including appropriate training where need is identified
administrative accountability for the operation of the external occupational health service
the receipt and dissemination of activity reports
arranging and reporting on quarterly service review meetings with [nominated persons]
maintaining links with all departments, including appropriate committees and groups, to ensure the satisfactory operation of the policy.

Staff also have a responsibility, as part of [organisation’s name]’s health and safety policy, to comply with all the health and safety arrangements of the organisation designed to protect their health while at work.

Measurement and Review

[Organisation’s name] will establish and maintain programmes for the review of occupational health management systems . These will provide information on indicators, such as health and attendance in the workplace, which help to measure health and wellbeing performance for:

managers
employees
stakeholders.

An addendum to the policy may set out the functions of the external occupational health service, developed in consultation with the provider. A model is outlined.

Functions of the External Occupational Health Service

1. Fitness for Work and Rehabilitation

In many cases, a simple health questionnaire will provide adequate information on the fitness of an individual to carry out the work required of them. For others, an interview or a physical examination and biological tests may be necessary.

a. For the majority of employees, demonstrating fitness for work will be a routine formality, but a more detailed assessment may be necessary for staff involved with (list of hazards) or who have a specific health issue. In some cases, the organisation may seek the advice of an independent occupational health doctor on the advice of the occupational health provider. This function applies:
– before employment
– before transfer to a different job within the organisation
– on return to work following illness or injury
– in situations where work performance is being adversely affected by a health problem.
b. The occupational health provider may need to discuss the working situation with the local manager or GP prior to any decision being reached about an applicant’s or existing employee’s fitness for work. Pertinent medical advice can then be given.
c. When an employee has health problems requiring consideration for rehabilitation after illness, discussions will take place between the employee, the human resource manager and the local managers.

2. Health Maintenance

There are situations where it will be necessary to review at regular intervals the health of certain staff and the environment, they work in. This will be done informally or by confidential interview with the occupational health provider.

3. Periodic Assessments

Periodic assessments will be completed if staff are exposed to known hazards. Examples of areas where staff are exposed to known hazards include (list of local hazards). Staff with known health problems and chronic conditions will be monitored.

4. Other Assessments

For staff going abroad on the organisation’s business, information will be available on the necessary inoculations/medication that are advised and arrangements made for them to be provided.

5. Medicosocial Problems

This function covers those areas where investigation, information and advice may be given to assist management and the staff concerned. Examples include the following.

Absence — staff with recurrent health problems.
Retirement — health and lifestyle advice to those about to retire and input to pre-retirement courses
Persons with special needs — advice and guidance not only to management about the recruitment of staff with special needs but also to the staff themselves when they are at work.
Advice on stress management with referral to specialists where appropriate.

6. Education and Training

It is important that education and training are seen as being part of the remit of an occupational health service. This training can be formal or informal. Through training, occupational health and safety standards can be continually improved and long-term benefits gained.

7. Record Keeping

Various records will need to be kept to:

ensure correct medical action is taken on the basis of sound information
meet legal requirements
give an indicator of some of the benefits gained.

In some situations, records must be kept for up to 50 years. Records normally comprise:

confidential medical records — records will be kept of all injuries, sickness, absence, treatments, referrals and advice and are only available to medical personnel and the individual
non-confidential records — these do not refer specifically to any given individual’s medical information and may be used without confidentiality restrictions.

Confidentiality

The organisation will have information about the health of staff. Information and records will not be divulged to any non-medical staff, including occupational health services, without the written consent of the individual. Employees have a statutory right of access to their own records.

This does not preclude non-confidential records being reported to ensure the organisation has a basis on which to take remedial measures, safeguards and decisions affecting its employees’ interests.

Occupational health staff are guided by their own professional codes of conduct in matters of confidentiality.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

WCH243. Rehabilitation and Return to Work