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Phased return to work

Guidance on a phased return to work, how it operates and answers to common queries.

A phased return to work is a way of enabling employees to return to their duties in a gradual way following illness or injury. Phased returns arise from recommendations made by occupational health physicians or GPs. If you return to work on a phased basis you will work a reduced number of hours at first, followed by a gradual increase in workload until you reach your normal number of hours.

Although employers are not obliged, except by way of reasonable adjustment, to offer phased returns, they are regarded as good practice. The NEU believes that all school and college staff should be entitled to benefit from a flexible and supportive return-to-work policy following a period of illness or injury.

Employers who fail to facilitate a phased return when it has been recommended by a GP or occupational health (OH) physician may find their employees are at risk of going back on sick leave or, if a decision is made to dismiss, of having a good claim for unfair dismissal.

Phased returns are normally offered to employees returning from long-term absences. Those returning from absences of a shorter duration can also sometimes benefit from such arrangements.

A recommendation for a phased return to work might come from your GP (who can tick a box on the fit note) and/or your employer’s OH provider who will produce a medical report. In either case, it is essential that any recommendations made about a phased return are discussed between you and your employer, and a written agreement is produced, clearly explaining how your return to work is to be managed.

You can take a union rep with you to the meeting to discuss the details of arrangements The purpose of the meeting is to organise the best terms so that when you do return to work, it will be a permanent return.

Phased returns may last for around four weeks, although in some cases they can continue for longer, depending on the conclusions of the medical report. If you believe your phased return will need to be for a longer duration than your employer will allow, speak to your GP and/or your employer’s OH provider.

Your employer cannot unilaterally impose a phased return to work. The terms of your return are subject to your agreement. Any variation in your contract of employment must be in writing.

Pay during phased return to work

Some employers pay the employer their full-time salary, but usually limit it to a specific period, after which time they may only be paid for the actual hours worked. This approach benefits both employer and employee, as it is likely to encourage the employee to return to work rather than remain on sick pay.

Other employers only pay employees for the hours worked from the outset, plus any remaining entitlements to sick pay. This approach is endorsed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). You are advised to clarify with your head teacher/principal and employer’s human resources services how you will be paid during this period as well as the details of the type of work you will be doing.

There is no automatic entitlement to full pay while on a phased return to work. Whether or not full pay is a reasonable adjustment for your employer to make will depend on the circumstances. Even if your employer decides that it can pay you only for the days when you work, any outstanding occupational and/or statutory sick pay (SSP) may be used to top up your earnings during your period of phased return.

Holiday entitlement

You may continue to accrue statutory holiday entitlement (currently four weeks) during sick leave and you may ask to use your statutory holiday entitlement to supplement any shortfall in pay arising from the temporary reduction in your working hours. If you work in a school, your employer may object to this on the basis that any accrued statutory holiday will be used up during school closure periods (which normally amount to 13 weeks in each academic year).

Occupational health report

You have the right to see medical reports written about you for employment or insurance purposes. You can exercise this right, either before or after the report is sent, and you can add your own comments to the report if you disagree with any of its contents. You can withdraw your consent to the release of the report, although you should seek union advice before taking this step.

If my employer’s occupational health doctor thinks you are fit for work, contrary to my GP’s advice, or vice versa, your employer may choose whichever advice they prefer to rely on, but this may not be in your best interests. If a return to work would not hinder your recovery and/or present a health and safety risk, the best option would be to show a willingness to return to work, albeit on reduced hours.

Model policy and checklist

Patient with doctor

Fit notes

Doctors issue fit notes to provide evidence of advice they have given to patients about their fitness to work.

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Sick leave

Most teachers will at some point need to take sick leave.

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