The document provides guidance on handling long-term employee absences. It recommends taking a sympathetic but pragmatic approach, making reasonable adjustments where possible, and acting reasonably and fairly. Key factors to consider include the duration of employment, expected remaining employment, the job requirements, past absence record, the health issue's nature/length, and business needs. The process involves consultation, obtaining medical information with employee consent, considering alternative duties, and potentially dismissal with notice or a right to appeal.
2. THE APPROACH
Question of capability as opposed to
conduct
Take a sympathetic but pragmatic approach
Make reasonable adjustments where
appropriate
Act reasonably and fairly
3. KEY FACTORS
Duration of employment
Expected remainder of employment
Nature of the job
Past absence record
Nature, effect and anticipated length of the
health problem
Commercial requirements of the business
Can someone else carry out the role?
Is employee expected to return to work?
Availability of an alternative position
5. WHAT IS REQUIRED?
Obtain information on employees illness
Make enquiries with the employee
Consult with employee’s medical advisors, but
make sure that you get the employee’s written
consent beforehand
Request employee undergo examination with
company medical advisors
6. THE MEDICAL REPORT
You will need a written medical report from
employee’s consultant
Requires written consent from the employee
Inform doctor that employee may see the report
Allow employee access to the report
If employee fails to co-operate inform them that a
decision will be based solely on the information
available at that time
7. WHERE NEXT?
Dismissal or agreed exit
Phased return to work
This will depend on the contents of the
medical report
8. DISMISSAL
Inform employee of possibility of termination
Hold further meeting discussing possibility of
dismissal
Base decision on information received during
consultation exercise
Give employee the required notice
Inform employee of any right to appeal
Put all information, decision and appeals
process in a final letter to the employee
9. THE MEETING
Check employee received all information sent
Check they understand purpose of the meeting
Ensure they are happy if alone/know they have
right to a companion
Keep an open mind during the hearing
Allow employee to respond to allegations
DO NOT indicate a decision has been made
10. COMMUNICATING THE DECISION
Give reason for decision
Tell them the last date of employment
If they have notice, tell them length
Inform them they are entitled to outstanding holiday
Inform employee they have right to appeal within a set
a time frame and tell them how & who to appeal to
In the former case, it stated that the equal pay claim must have been in existance at the time of the transfer. The transferee has no obligation to put you on better benefits than you were enjoying before. There is a time llmit of 6 months from the date of transfer I would still advise you to be careful in the long run In the second case, preserving an employees TUPE rights, 2 years on, was a valid defence to an equal pay claim