Return to Work Meetings

Return to Work Meetings: Getting the Tone Right

Return to Work Meetings are one of the most useful tools available to nursery leaders when managing staff absence.

Used well, they help employees feel supported, identify problems early and encourage reliable attendance.

The meeting should take place privately and as soon as possible after the employee returns.

Start by welcoming them back and explaining that the purpose is to check they are well enough to work, understand the reason for the absence and discuss any support they may need.

The tone should be warm, professional and fact-finding.

Avoid beginning with warnings about attendance levels or suggesting that the employee has let the nursery down.

This can make people defensive and less likely to share important information. Instead, use open questions such as: “How are you feeling now?”, “Is there anything affecting your ability to work?” and “Is there any support that would help?”

The meeting may identify an underlying health condition, pregnancy-related issue, workplace concern or possible disability. Nursery leaders should consider whether reasonable adjustments, temporary changes to duties, a phased return or occupational health advice may be appropriate.

Consistency is also important. Return to Work Meetings should normally be held after every sickness absence, not only when a manager is already concerned. This helps avoid accusations that particular employees are being singled out.

The meeting should be recorded, including the reason for absence, support discussed and any actions agreed. However, it should not automatically become a disciplinary meeting. Where attendance has reached a formal trigger, explain this clearly and arrange a separate attendance review under the nursery’s policy.

The greatest benefit comes when employees see these meetings as part of an organisation’s management of absence. They know that if they have lied about an absence they will be asked to talk about why they were off, they know if they are genuinely struggling, that there will be an opportunity to share with a manager and seek help.

A well-pitched Return to Work Meeting protects wellbeing, improves communication and helps nursery leaders address attendance concerns fairly and promptly. Given the changes introduced by the Government making SSP a day one right from 1st April, any tool that supports attendance has to be valuable.