Keeping in touch during sickness absence
Employers
Remember that appropriate contact is essential. Co-ordinate approaches to the individual to ensure clarity about professional roles and what support is offered.
Supporting an employee who is off sick
Try to:
- Keep in touch. Many managers are hesitant about this in case they say the wrong thing or are perceived by the employee as hassling. However, if there is little or no communication, misunderstanding and barriers can quickly arise as employees can feel they are not missed or valued.
- Reassure them about practical issues, e.g. their job is safe, deal with financial worries
- Give the employee the chance to explain what is happening by asking open questions
- Ask if there is anything you can do to help
- Reassure them that you understand medical and personal boundaries and will respect them.
- Review their needs/wishes for support.
- Depending on the severity of the illness, explore if it would be helpful to think about a stepping stone between work and absence, e.g. work for a couple of hours a day at home.
- The bottom line is to let people know they are not forgotten. Don't make them feel their problem is shameful.
Avoid:
- Putting pressure on the person to divulge personal or medical information - it is their choice to reveal this or not.
- Putting pressure on them to name a return date. While they are in crisis, it may be impossible for them to know how long recovery will take. Deadlines will only add to the pressure.
Employees
Keeping in touch while you are away
Although it can feel difficult, it is advisable to keep in touch with your employer.
This is partly so that practical issues around sick leave can be sorted and you can clear up any worries that you have that relate to the job. However it's also important for emotional and social reasons. It's easy to feel cut off and isolated and to lose confidence. And, the longer you are away, the more difficult it can be to cross the threshold when you do return.
Consider the following:
- If you are worried about losing your job or about financial issues, it is best to raise these fears directly so that you can clarify the true position.
- Is there a colleague or friend at work who can keep you in touch and let others know how you are?
- Do you want visits/calls from colleagues?
- What questions are off limits? And how will you handle this?
- Is there a midpoint between working and being off sick - for example, could you work a couple of hours a day from home?
Source: Line Managers' Resource, Mind Out for Mental Health
