Anyone knowledgeable about home visits on sick leave?

[AnnieOH1]

Looking for anyone who might have some greater knowledge about employers visiting with an employee on sick leave. I can't seem to find a definitive answer. ACAS would seem to state the visits are a good thing but only after "long term sickness absence", the only other material I can find is from union sites which seem to be "absolutely not a good thing ever".

The specific reason I'm asking is whether it is reasonable for an employer, where an employee having been signed off (fit note two weeks) sick yesterday, can insist on a home visit today? I believe this is heavy handed, but wanted to know anyone else's thoughts and/or experience.

Thanks in advance.

I think that’s very heavy handed and would refuse. Is it a long term illness or something new? Very odd for them to want to do this, what sector do you work in?

Two weeks? Seems unreasonable.

I'd ask for the procedure which states that a home visit is done on day 2/3 of sickness.

Our guidance at work (large FTSE100 company) is 6 months unless there's some specific concern which means we need to speak to the employee sooner. However I can't imagine that would ever be as early as 2 weeks!

The company is within the financial sector (holds FCA license but not a bank), primarily arrange consolidation loans.

No previous sickness absence at all.

Employee been employed for 5+ years.

The sickness absence policy makes provision for a return to work interview for periods of sickness over 2 weeks, but absolutely silent regarding home visits.

Our long term sickness management policy states that there will be regular sickness review meetings which can be at home or work based on the employees needs. It is mandatory for the employee to attend these meetings but we try to arrange them at a time or place convenient to them. I would only ever do a home visit if the employee couldn’t make it into the office.
2 weeks does seem a bit early for a sickness review meeting but I would definitely be checking in for a phone call with the employee at this point to discuss what was wrong, what the prognosis is, are there adjustments we could make to allow thenm to come back sooner etc.

Do they suspect that you're not actually sick OP?

It does seem a bit soon, but if you're off sick anyway and at home, does it matter if they want to do a home visit.

Hmm. A return to work interview is more normally when the employee has just or is about to return to work and is about planning and supporting them to come back, looking at adjustments or a phased return to work for example.

We do long term sickness reviews too which are more for when employees are off longer-term or indefinitely and are about staying in touch and keeping up to date with their situation, how long they are likely to be off, what the likelihood of them returning in the medium-long term is etc. We might do the latter at the employee's home if that's what they prefer (although I find most people prefer to come into the office or even meet at a neutral venue like a cafe rather than have their manager/HR in their house, which I understand, although I am totally not there to judge the cleanliness or decor!).

It does sound a bit hasty on their part (although in line with the policy) and perhaps a bit muddled between the two types of meeting, but I would cooperate - perhaps suggest doing it in the office or as a phone call if that's easier for you?

Is the illness work related, for instance stress? If so, it is good practice for the employer to offer support as soon as possible, as the longer an issue continues the more difficult it is to address.

You could have done a self cert for a week. If you had, would they be insisting on home visiting you after a couple of days? It seems disproportionate.

OP, there is nothing to stop an employer requesting a welfare home visit, even after just two weeks. However, the visit cannot take place without the employee’s consent. If a meeting is necessary then the employee should be given the choice of where to meet, at work, at home or in a neutral place.

I would question the motive of an employer requesting a home visit after just two weeks because normally home visits take place after much longer periods of sickness. Is the procedure set out in the company employee handbook?

From the OP it looks as if the visit is within a few days of originally being signed off rather than after 2 weeks. I think it's unreasonable tbh

No absolutely unreasonable. Home visits are only ever acceptable by mutual consent and in a supportive way never to investigate or question sickness.
I rarely visit sick team members if it’s very short term but do (depending on how well I know the person, how long I’ve managed them etc) if they have given permission or asked and

• they feel a bit isolated and want to stay in contact with work
• they need support in some way and ask
• to drop off card and gifts
• to help out if they’re stuck with childcare/ household chores or similar and have nobody else.

- to plan a phased return and reduce rejoining anxiety. Any suggestion that they’d rather be left alone is respected, of course. I think for a two week sick leave, I’d only be visiting by invitation to do school run for them or something similar until they were well enough or could sort out other arrangements.

That is unreasonable and the employee should refuse.

If it's to drop off a card and a bunch of flowers from the team then OK.
If it's a formal meeting then hell no!