Wherever possible, employees should be encouraged to stay at work rather than take time off. However, if a period of absence has been necessary, it is important to manage the return to work with the individual. An overview of key considerations in this process can be found in the leaflet
Work and health: changing how we think about common health problems.
A
summary document from the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) outlines all of the key elements which should be considered when considering the rehabilitation of people with back pain. The
TUC’s approach to rehabilitation can be found at this link.
HSE guidance
The HSE has a
return-to-work factsheet for health and safety representatives, and another one specifically for
managers.
The HSE has also developed tools and documentation to help with absence management and rehabilitation. These include:
-
an overview
factsheet for sickness absence and return to work
-
-
-
-
-
tax rules when purchasing occupational health support
Professional health associations
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics
The Cottage, Hornsea Road, Atwick, Driffield,
East Yorkshire YO25 8DG
Tel: 0196 453 4376
British Chiropractic Association
Blagrave House, 17 Blagrave Street, Reading,
Berkshire RG1 1QB
Tel: 0118 950 5950
British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine
c/o Royal College of Physicians,
1 St Andrews Place, London NW1 4LE
Tel: 01992 638865
Case Management Society UK
PO Box 2073, Reading RG4 7ZJ
Tel: 0118 948 2272
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Headquarters, 14 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED
Tel: 0207 306 6666
College of Occupational Therapists
106-114 Borough High Street, Southwark,
London SE1 1LB
Tel: 0207 357 6480
Commercial Occupational Health Providers Association
PO Box 6873, Wellingborough, NN8 1ZP
Tel: 01933 227788
Faculty of Occupational Medicine
6 St Andrew's Place, London NW1 4LB
Tel: 020 7317 5890
Institute of Occupational Medicine
Research Park North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP
Tel: 0870 8505131
Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice
PhysioFirst, Cedar House, The Bell Plantation,
Watling Street, Towcester, Northants NN12 6HN
Tel: 01327 354441
Scottish Chiropractic Association
16 Jenny Moores Road, St Boswells TD6 OAL
Tel: 01835 824026
Society of Occupational Medicine
6 St Andrew's Place, London NW1 4LB
Tel: 020 7486 2641