Managing Sickness Absence and Return to Work

Welcome to GP Healthcare Alliance’s Managing Sickness Absence and Return to Work course. This course is designed for anyone who will be undertaking sickness absence and return to work meetings as part of their job role within the UK, including Team Leaders, Managers, CEO’s in any profession and GP / other professional Partners. The time taken to complete this course will depend upon prior experience and knowledge and could take up to 2 hours to complete, particularly if your experience is limited, you will have a downloadable PDF at the end of the course lessons, for your future reference requirements. The aim of this training is for the learner to understand the basic principles and processes of managing sickness absence and return to work meetings and to be able to carry out the tasks involved and understand why these are necessary within your workplace role. This course has been created to help guide you, to become familiar with what you might be expected to do and how you can approach managing the tasks involved in managing sickness absence and return to work processes. The contents of this course are available on a downloadable PDF for you to be able to utilise at a later date if required, which can be increased in size when downloaded if need be. Please also ensure that you follow your workplace Policies and Protocols when carrying out sickness absence and return to work meetings and work in accordance with these.

Managing Sickness Absence and Return to Work

Current Status

Price

£60.00

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Average time to complete: 2 hours
100% online
Downloadable course content included
Free CPD-accredited certificate to evidence professional development

Managing sickness absence requires a balance between supporting employees, maintaining appropriate records and meeting organisational and legal responsibilities. Poorly handled absence can affect employee wellbeing, workplace relationships and operational performance, while inconsistent processes may expose an organisation to unnecessary risk.

This CPD-accredited online sickness absence management training provides practical guidance for managers responsible for supporting employees during periods of illness and helping them return to work safely and successfully. It covers short-term, long-term and recurring absence, communication during sick leave, return-to-work meetings, reasonable adjustments, phased returns and Statutory Sick Pay.

This practical absence management course also explores mental health, employee wellbeing and the legal and organisational responsibilities involved in managing sickness absence. Workplace examples demonstrate how managers can balance employee support, consistent processes and the operational needs of their organisation.

Why this course matters

Helps managers approach sickness absence fairly, consistently and compassionately
Supports effective communication with employees during periods of sick leave
Builds confidence when preparing for and conducting return-to-work meetings
Reinforces the importance of accurate, confidential record keeping
Introduces key UK employment and data-protection responsibilities
Helps managers recognise when reasonable adjustments or a phased return may be required
Supports employee wellbeing, engagement and successful reintegration into work

What you will learn

The different types and common causes of sickness absence
The responsibilities of managers during employee sick leave
How to maintain appropriate and supportive communication
The importance of confidentiality and secure record keeping
How to prepare for and conduct return-to-work meetings
How phased returns and reasonable adjustments can support recovery
The basic principles of Statutory Sick Pay
The relationship between sickness absence, mental health and employee wellbeing
How to exercise managerial discretion fairly and consistently
Common risks and pitfalls in sickness absence management

Who this course is for

This online sickness absence management and return-to-work training course is suitable for anyone responsible for managing employees, including:

Team leaders
Supervisors
Line managers
Practice managers
HR managers and HR support staff
Business owners
Anyone responsible for conducting return-to-work meetings

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Recognise different types and causes of sickness absence
Explain a manager’s responsibilities during employee sick leave
Maintain supportive and appropriate contact with absent employees
Handle health and absence information confidentially
Keep clear and accurate sickness absence records
Prepare for and conduct effective return-to-work meetings
Discuss employee support needs using open and appropriate questions
Recognise when reasonable adjustments or a phased return may be appropriate
Understand the basic principles of Statutory Sick Pay
Apply workplace absence policies fairly and consistently
Identify common mistakes that can undermine absence management
Recognise when HR, occupational health or specialist advice may be required

Full course description

Understanding sickness absence

The course introduces short-term, long-term and intermittent sickness absence, along with some of the common physical, mental health, workplace and personal factors that can contribute to employees being away from work.

Legal responsibilities and record keeping

You will explore the responsibilities managers should consider when handling sickness absence, including equality, confidentiality, data protection, employment rights and workplace health and safety. The course also explains why accurate records are essential for fair decision-making, sick pay, employee support and organisational planning.

Supporting employees during absence

The course considers how managers can maintain appropriate contact with employees without creating pressure or requesting unnecessary medical information. It also covers fit notes, communication preferences and protecting confidential health information.

Return-to-work meetings and adjustments

You will learn about the purpose of return-to-work meetings and the importance of approaching them with preparation, empathy and an open mind. The course introduces phased returns, reasonable adjustments and other forms of support that may help employees return to work safely and sustainably.

Employee wellbeing and fair decision-making

The course explores the relationship between physical health, mental health and workplace wellbeing. It also considers the appropriate use of managerial discretion, the importance of consistent processes and how practical support can strengthen employee trust and engagement.

Applying good practice

Workplace examples and case studies illustrate the risks of poor sickness absence management and the importance of considering individual circumstances. The course concludes by highlighting common pitfalls and practical steps managers can take to handle future absence cases more effectively.

Assessment and certification

At the end of the course, you will complete an assessment to demonstrate your understanding. You will need to achieve a result of 80% or higher to pass. On successful completion, you will receive a downloadable certificate.

Professional responsibility and scope

This course is designed to support knowledge and understanding but does not in itself confirm competence.

Competency should be assessed within your workplace
Practice should align with local protocols, current guidance, and professional standards
You are responsible for applying learning appropriately within your role

Average time to complete

Approximately 2 hours, depending on your prior knowledge and experience. The course is fully self-paced, allowing you to complete it in stages. You can revisit any sections that you’re unsure of.

Course Content

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I buy this course for someone else?

Yes. To do this, register using their email address and the name they would like to appear on their certificate.

For example, you might know them as Kate, but they may need their certificate issued in their full birth name, Katherine. It’s best to check these details with them first.

Once the purchase is complete, they will receive the automatic course link by email.

Can I complete the course in my own time, and how long do I have to access it?

All of our online courses are self-paced, so you can complete them at a time that suits you. Your progress is saved at the end of each lesson, allowing you to return and continue later.

You will have six months from the date of enrolment to complete the course. After six months, the course will no longer be available.

Some courses, such as Basic Life Support, must be completed annually by clinical staff. A new course will therefore need to be purchased each year to ensure the training reflects the most up-to-date guidance.

Can I access the training material after completing the course?

Yes. The course materials are available to download during your access period, so you can keep a copy for future reference. Your course access will remain active for six months from the date of enrolment, after which the course will no longer be available.

Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept card payments via Stripe. You can pay using a debit or credit card (such as Visa or Mastercard).

When will I get my certificate?

As soon as you have passed the end-of-course assessment and achieved the required pass rate of 80% or more, your certificate will be available to download from the top of the course page.

Do you offer refunds if I no longer need the course?

Refunds may be available if you have not logged into your account.

Once you have logged in, you will have access to the course materials and downloadable content, and a refund will no longer be possible.

What should I do if I can't log into my account?

When registering, please make sure you enter the correct email address, as login issues are often caused by an incorrect email being used. It can help to copy and paste your email address to avoid mistakes.

If you are unable to log in, click ‘Forgotten password’ and follow the instructions to reset your password via the email link sent to you.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact GPHA-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond within two working weeks.

£60