Absence management in depth: fit notes, review points and return-to-work conversations
For line managers, team leaders and HR coordinators who handle sickness absence and hold return-to-work conversations. Complete 'Leave and absence process basics' first: it covers consistent leave decisions, basic absence records and why return-to-work chats matter. This course goes deeper: preparing and holding the return-to-work meeting, reading fit notes and acting on 'may be fit for work' advice, using absence review points without discriminating, agreeing keeping-in-touch arrangements, and recognising when a US absence may be protected leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Jurisdictions: Great Britain (Acas guidance and the DWP fit note guidance; Northern Ireland has its own arrangements) and US federal (Department of Labor FMLA fact sheets; state laws may add more). This is not legal or medical advice and doesn't qualify you as an HR or occupational health professional; your organisation's absence policy and HR team decide how it applies to a particular case.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Length
- About 110 minutes
- Contents
- 5 lessons · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 10 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Prepare and hold a return-to-work meeting that checks readiness, support, a return plan and what colleagues will be told
- Apply fit note advice: identify when a fit note is needed and choose workplace changes for a 'may be fit for work' note
- Use absence review points without discriminating, recording disability- and pregnancy-related absence separately
- Agree keeping-in-touch arrangements during absence and identify the updates an absent employee must receive
- Identify when a US absence may be FMLA leave and meet the federal notice and certification timelines
Course outline
- 1.Preparing and holding a return-to-work meetingLesson · 20 min
- 2.Applying fit note adviceLesson · 22 min
- 3.Using absence review points without discriminatingLesson · 20 min
- 4.Agreeing keeping-in-touch arrangements during absenceLesson · 16 min
- 5.Identifying possible FMLA leave and meeting the federal timelines (US)Lesson · 14 min
- 6.Absence management in depth: fit notes, review points and return-to-work conversations: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 14 questions
- 7.Absence management in depth: fit notes, review points and return-to-work conversations: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
- 8.Final exam10 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- Acas: Returning to work after absence (return to work meetings)
- Acas: Fit notes and proof of sickness
- Acas: Absence trigger points (review points and absence reviews)
- Acas: Recording and reducing sickness absence
- Acas: Keeping in touch during absence
- Acas: Creating absence policies
- DWP: Getting the most out of the fit note: guidance for employers and line managers
- GOV.UK: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): eligibility
- US DOL Wage and Hour Division: Fact Sheet #28, The Family and Medical Leave Act
- US DOL Wage and Hour Division: Fact Sheet #28D, Employer Notification Requirements under the FMLA
- US DOL Wage and Hour Division: Fact Sheet #28E, Employee Notice Requirements under the FMLA
- US DOL Wage and Hour Division: Fact Sheet #28G, Medical Certification under the FMLA
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