This script outlines the structure of a formal capability meeting that has been a arranged as a result of long-term absence. It will inform employers on the key questions to ask an employee as well as the formal entitlements that an employee has in the case of a formal meeting.

This script will assist employers with a guide on how to structure a meeting where there are concerns over an employee’s persistent short term absenteeism.

This letter informs an employee of what annual leave accrual they have after a period of sick leave. The letter outlines the option of the employee submitting a holiday request for their desired dates of holidays, asking the employee to take leave on specific dates or permitting the carry over of holidays to the following holiday year.

This letter is for an employer who has concerns that the employee might not be medically fit to return to work. It seeks consent from the employee for a medical report prior to their return to work.

The letter invites an employee to a return to work meeting and outlines the elements that will be discussed at the meeting such as ensuring the employee is fit to be back at work and the reintegration back into the workplace after a spell of absence.

This letter is to confirm what reasonable accommodations would be required to facilitate an employee’s return to work, and whether the reasonable accommodations can be approved or not.

This letter confirms termination of employment as a result of capability, normally long-term absence, This letter should only be sent to an employee where a formal capability hearing has taken place following a number of informal absence reivew procedures. Employers are advised to proceed with caution and seek legal advice on this procedure to avoid diability discrimination.

This letter invites an employee to a formal capability hearing. This should only be sent after an informal process has been followed; for example a number of absence review meetings and review of medical evidence.

This letter is to send to an employee to confirm what was agreed further to receipt of an occupational health report. It gives the option for the employee to either return to work or remain absent if they are unfit to return to work. The letter also gives the employer the option to inform the employee if it is a case that there is no liklihood of a return to work, or if they are to return to an alternative role.

This letter is sent to an employee further to the employer recieving the findings of an occupational health report. The letter invites the employee to a meeting to discuss the findings.

This letter should be sent to an employee to obtain further information on the duration of their absence and a return to work date. The purpose of the letter is to help the employer plan ahead for the operational needs of their organisation.

This letter can be sent to an employee to confirm what was agreed at a return to work meeting after a long-term spell of absence, such as frquency of review meetings and any supports that have been granted.

This letter can be sent to an employee who is absent for greater than 3 consecutive days, but who has failed to submit any medical certificates. The letter reminds the employee that without submission of medical certificates their absence is unauthorised, without pay and potentially a disciplinary matter.

This letter is used to follow up on a long-term absence meeting to discuss the next steps such as what was agreed, the date of the next meeting and the possibility of obtaining the employee;s consent for a medical report.

This letter is for an employee who is absent from work and has not made contact with the employer. The letter informs the employee that their continued failure to make contact may be a disciplinary matter and that they should make contact as soon as possible. The letter invites the employee to a meeting to discuss their absence and their circumstances.

This letter invites an employee on unauthorised absence to a meeting to discuss their absence and their circumstances. It reminds the employee that their absence is unauthorised and unpaid.

This letter notifies an employee that their failure to submit a medical certificate has resulted in them being on unauthorised absence, which is unpaid.

This letter is normally sent after a discussion has taken place with the employee regarding reasonable accommodations that are recommended to faciliate a return to work. The letter outlines what reasonable accommodations can be implemented by the employer in order to allow the employee to return to work.

This letter is used to send to an employee who has issues of persistent short-term absenteeism. The invitation to the meeting will outline the main points to be discussed at the meeting, with the aim of understanding the reasons for persistent absence. Employers can insert reference to any trigger points or dates of absence within the letter.

This letter is only used after the employer has obtained explicit consent from an employee to access a medical report. The letter is used to send to the employee’s GP to obtain further information on the employee’s condition and what reasonable accommodations need to be made in the workplace to faciliate the employee, among other important information.

This letter is used to send to an employee to seek their consent to obtain a medical report on their condition. An employer is unable to access medical information about an employee without their consent.

This letter is used to send to an employee whose long-term absence is coming to an end, to communicate arrangements for their return to work. It is recommended that this letter is sent in advance of the return to work.

This letter is used by an employer where there is a concern for an employee’s welfare and the employer would like to invite the employee to a meeting to discuss further. The employee to be invited to the meeting can either absent or in work

This letter is used to send to an employee who is off on long-term absence, to ascertain how they would prefer to be contacted.

This letter should be sent to an employee who is not contractually entitled to sick pay, but where the employer will, at their discretion, pay sick pay on one occasion. It is recommended that the timeframes are stipulated (start and end date of sick pay), in order to protect the employer against any ambiguity and against setting a precedence.

This letter is used to inform an employee that the organisation will hold off on any further contact until the employee has had some time to rest and recover from their illness. It is normally used when an employee is suffereing from a long-term illness.