When is an Occupational Health Management Referral needed?

Typically performed when a health concern (physical or mental) may impact the employee’s ability to do their job effectively or safely, or where guidance is needed to support the employee in the workplace.

Benefits of a Management Referral

  • Supports employee health and wellbeing
  • Provides independent, expert advice
  • Helps make informed decisions about work capability and adjustments
  • Reduces the risk of legal claims or disputes
  • Keeps employees safely and productively in the workplace

An overview of Management Referral

  1. Employee Sickness Absence

    • Frequent short-term absences or one or more long-term absences
    • Understand the underlying health issue and how it impacts their ability to work
    • Gain advice on managing future absence and improving attendance

  2. Support for Return to Work

    After illness, injury, surgery, or mental health leave Occupational Health can advise on:

    • Frequent short-term absences or one or more long-term absences
    • Understand the underlying health issue and how it impacts their ability to work
    • Gain advice on managing future absence and improving attendance

  3. Ongoing Health Conditions

    • Where a physical or mental health condition is affecting performance or behaviour
    • To advise on ways to support the employee and keep them in work safely
    • To explore whether the condition is likely to be a disability under the Equality Act

  4. Workplace Impact on Health

    • If there are concerns that work tasks, environment, or stress are contributing to ill health (e.g. RSI, anxiety, burnout)
    • OH can assess whether the job or environment is a health risk, and how it might be improved

  5. Fitness for a Specific Role

    • If there are doubts about whether an employee is medically fit to perform their job, or specific aspects of the job, safely
    • Important in safety-critical roles (e.g. drivers, machine operators)

  6. Guidance on Reasonable Adjustments

    • OH provides recommendations for adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 (UK) or similar legislation
    • Helps employers meet their legal obligations while supporting the employee’s productivity and wellbeing

  7. Support in Managing Performance or Conduct

    • If there is a performance or behavioural issue and you suspect it may be health-related
    • Ensures the situation is approached fairly with expert medical input, and with due regard to legal duties (e.g. Equality Act).