Element 4: Making use of professional or other advice and treatment

The guidance contained here was first published in 2004 and therefore makes no reference to the Fit Note. The majority of the guidance contained herein remains relevant, although readers will need to keep in mind the existence of the Fit Note in applying any potential recommendations.

Checkpoint

Have you accessed all the advice you need to help your employee to return to work?

Key issues

• There will be some circumstances where you and your employee may need professional advice or access to support and treatment before a return to work is possible. For example, Occupational Therapists will be able to assist you with return to work programmes or workplace adaptations. Useful links contains a list of organisations who can offer help and advice.
• If you are an SME, you may not have routine access to occupational health services but sources such as NHS Plus may be able to help to you.
• Check with your insurer to see if your Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance includes rehabilitation services as part of your policy.
• Payments, private medical and income protection insurance may be taxable to the employee. Services for work related ill health and general welfare counselling are normally exempt from tax. See tax rules and the purchase of occupational health support for more information.
• If you or your disabled employee needs assistance with reasonable adjustments, your employee can apply to the nearest Jobcentre Plus for help. A Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) will consider whether Access to Work (AtW) can help and refer you and your employee to an AtW Adviser.

Communication point

Sometimes people do not realise that their behaviour causes distress or unexpected circumstances can occur which may cause conflict. One way of tackling this is to use workplace mediators. Communicating with your employees to ensure that everyone understands what is acceptable behaviour at work means that conflict can normally be avoided.

Extra Information

• Who to go to for professional advice on dealing with MSD