Health and sickness absence referrals

The University of Exeter is committed to providing, as far as it is reasonably practicable, a healthy and safe working environment for its staff and students.

If you are a manager

A member of staff may be referred to the Occupational Health Service where there is a concern regarding their health or level of attendance. Formal referrals are normally managed by HR Business Partners. Line managers are generally discouraged from referring staff to the Occupational Health Service direct, but you are welcome to speak with an OHA for guidance or advice, should you have concerns about a member of your staff.

All referrals are dealt with in the strictest confidence. Despite formal referrals being made via a member of the HR team, members of staff being seen by the Occupational Health Service are still obliged to give their informed consent before any medical information regarding their consultation is passed to a third party / back to the referring HR Business Partner. Refusal to give consent will lead to the Occupational Health Service issuing a functional report, i.e. a report which excludes any medical information. As with all self-referrals, any information passed to a third party with consent, can be copied to the member of staff involved if they so wish.

Guidelines for referring staff to Occupational Health have been drafted to help you treat all cases of sickness absence in a fair, consistent and constructive way.

From 6 April 2010, GP sick notes were replaced with 'Statement of Fitness to Work', or 'Fit Notes'. See the Guidance on Fit notes for more information.

If your member of staff has recently returned from a period of sickness absence, it may be helpful to both the individual and the College/Service to refer the member of staff to Occupational Health, particularly if any adaptions are required to enable the return to work to be successful and safe.

If you are a member of staff

If you believe you are suffering a health problem which might be linked to your work, you can self-refer to the Occupational Health Service. All self-referrals to the Occupational Health Service are treated in the strictest confidence. You are however encouraged to report any work-related health problems to your line manager. Occupational Health Advisors (OHA) will not pass any medical information to a third party without your informed consent. Any information passed to a third party with consent, can be copied to you, if you so wish.

Advice and guidance

Any member of staff can telephone or email the Occupational Health Service when seeking advice or guidance about a work-related health issue/problem.

Appointments

Staff are encouraged to arrange their own appointment direct with the Occupational Health Service. This can be done by telephone or email. Staff are normally seen in the Occupational Health Unit, on the Streatham Campus (Queen's Building). However, in some circumstances and where necessary, staff may be seen at their place of work. OHAs travel to Tremough as often as possible and will see staff based at Tremough (by appointment) on their visits to Cornwall.