Effective management of employee sickness absence is essential to controlling costs, maintaining productivity, and supporting workforce wellbeing. With the right approach, absence management can have positive outcomes for both the employer and the employee. At Valentine OH, our Management Referral process provides managers with clear, actionable advice to move forward with each case confidently.

When to Make a Management Referral

Managers may wish to refer an employee in situations such as:

• Returning to work following prolonged absence.
• Possible underlying medical conditions affecting performance.
• Repeated short spells of absence.
• Extended absence due to ill health.

Depending on the case, employees may be referred to an Occupational Health Advisor or an Occupational Health Physician for assessment.

Key Benefits of Our Occupational Health Referral Services

• Expert Assessments: Our team of specialists conducts thorough assessments to provide clear, actionable guidance for managers. Each report outlines next steps and recommended adjustments, helping you move cases forward efficiently.
• Employee Wellbeing: We prioritise employee health, improving morale, productivity, and retention while creating a supportive workplace culture.
• Fast and Reliable Service: Assessments are delivered quickly and reliably, often within 48 hours, ensuring minimal disruption and maximising your return on investment without compromising quality.

Positive Outcomes

Our Management Referral process ensures:

• Proactive absence management, reducing sickness rates and associated costs.
• Faster return to work for employees, supported by tailored recommendations.
• Effective risk control, helping to mitigate potential legal or civil claims.
• Clear onward progression, with managers provided actionable advice on adjustments, referrals, or further monitoring.

These services also support employers in meeting their duty of care obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, along with associated regulations.

How Referrals Work

Referrals can be submitted via:

• Management Referral Form – a straightforward paper-based option.

Online Portal – submit securely and completely paperless. 

Once received, Valentine OH triages the information and recommends the most appropriate course of action, including:

• Remote assessments – via Telephone or Video Link (Teams)
• Face-to-face assessments  – at the workplace, local clinic, or in certain cases, the employee’s home

We also provide guidance for communicating the referral to employees, including an example: Employee Guide.