A management referral in occupational health is a formal process where an employer refers an employee to an occupational health professional to assess their health in relation to their work, often to support attendance, performance, or workplace adjustments.

Sickness absence can cause major disruptions for employers, leaving them short-staffed, increasing costs and reducing productivity. Research indicates the longer an individual is off sick from work, the harder it becomes to return them to the workplace.

Short and long-term absence needs to be managed on a proactive basis to minimise absence and ensure team leaders in the organisation understand and can plan for how long individuals are absent.

A doctor’s sick note generally can only provide an individual and employer with advice only, while a fit for work assessment, signed off by a qualified occupation health practitioner, supersedes a GP’s note.

Management referrals will be conducted over the phone, since the employee is absent from work. They will typically take 60 minutes (45 minutes consultation, 15 minutes to write) and can only be conducted by a qualified OH advisor or above.

The qualified OH advisor will recommend to the company whether the individual is fit for work, or when they may be fit in the future. They can also advise on further monitoring or communication with the individual to ensure their recovery stays on track.