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Original poster

Absence review meeting

27 replies

user5090900 · 30/12/2025 19:40

I have been off work for 6 weeks and it has triggered an absence review meeting with my manager. I have never had one before so I don't know what to expect. How much about my health should I share?

OP posts:
Connachtfive · 30/12/2025 19:42

Check your sickness absence policy. Has your employee got an Occasional Health service? Are you in a union?

Original poster
user5090900 · 30/12/2025 19:45

Connachtfive · 30/12/2025 19:42

Check your sickness absence policy. Has your employee got an Occasional Health service? Are you in a union?

I think we have occupational health and I am not in a union. The sickness policy states a stage one absence support meeting takes place after 4 weeks of illness.

OP posts:
Connachtfive · 30/12/2025 21:19

Fundamentally, your health is private and confidential, but your line manager will likely have an objective to get you back to work ASAP. They are likely to ask you questions about your health and the reason for your absence. Contact what you are prepared to tell them.

TeenLifeMum · 30/12/2025 21:22

So long as your boss isn’t an arse, it should be about how you are and any support you need to return to work. One significant health issue is more about supporting because it’s hard to be off for such a time and return.

Original poster
user5090900 · 30/12/2025 22:31

I have a previous cancer diagnosis from 6 years ago should I share that. I am not sure if this illness is related to the cancer diagnosis

OP posts:
Connachtfive · 30/12/2025 23:26

I understand it, a diagnosis of cancer fits a criteria of disability under the equality act from the point of diagnosis. As a result, your employer must consider reasonable adjustments. Therefore, it may be in your best interests to inform them of this. I’d also advise you to request referral to occupational health.

Tigger18 · 30/12/2025 23:34

At this stage the point of the meeting is to try and find out the reasons behind it so you can decide how to handle it. Is this a health issue (it's ok to be sick and need time off, adjustments etc) in which case your capability policy will be invoked. Or is it a behavioural issue (a person who likes to go out partying late and is constantly late to work for example, in which case the disciplinary policy would be invoked.

Your health information is private and you don't need to share anything you don't want to. I would share enough to let your employer be able to make a decision on the above. Beware though that an organisation is only bound to take into account health issues they know about. Anything you keep hidden you wouldn't be able to use as an excuse for your behaviour at tribunal.

Original poster
user5090900 · 31/12/2025 14:42

Thank you all for your advice I just feel so anxious about it all, it all seems so formal and j in just don’t want to stress about losing my job by been off sick any longer.

OP posts:
ChristmasHug · 31/12/2025 14:50

We have to do these things. Even when you know someone has been off 6 weeks after being hit by a car we have to answer the 'how will you avoid this happening again' question.

Are you still off? They will want to know if there is an expected return to work date and what you are doing to get better eg you've seen the gp and tried one type of medication but it hasn't helped so now you are trying another and gp told you it should take 3 weeks to see the effects. If you know you will need adjustments when you go back like shorter days or reduced duties tell them that.

These are fact finding conversations, they want to know what they can do to help you return to work.

mydogisanidiott · 31/12/2025 15:04

It depends why you are off and you previous sickness record. In my experience (I am not a HR) if it’s a clear cut reason such as a broken bone or operation it’s much easier than mental health or medical reasons that need exploring (eg a colleague had diabetes and high blood pressure and was unstable so went to hospital and needed to stabilise it before she came back and this took 8 weeks). Also it depends on you relationship with work and the the culture. Our culture is to disclose why we are off but we don’t have to and they can’t ask.

It will be a standard pro forma and you can answer the questions factually.

you only need to say you have been ill and if you have seen a healthcare practitioner. Not why or who. And if you have for worse, better or stayed the same. Are you likely to be back soon? Yes/ no

use chat gpt to help you prepare

calminggreen · 31/12/2025 15:09

If it’s not related to your previous cancer diagnosis then why have you been off 6 weeks? What’s your plan for getting back to work? How much longer do you think you’ll be off? Employers have a right to understand if someone they are likely paying full pay is going to be making a reappearance in the workplace ….

Greenwitchart · 31/12/2025 15:25

You have been signed off by your GP who had to put down reason for signing you off.

So really all you need to is stick to whatever your GP has written down.

If it is a case that they are unsure about why you are unwell and doing some tests then again just tell your work that that this is what is happening. You can say "I am too unwell to work and my GP is conducting/requesting a variety of tests so I can get the right diagnosis and treatment" .

You don't have to say more than that and you cannot predict when you will be well enough up return, that is for your doctor to decide.

If your manager is causing trouble, ask for an occupational health referral.

Ask for the meeting to be done remotely to reinforce the fact that you are not well enough to attend your workplace.

Greenwitchart · 31/12/2025 15:26

calminggreen · 31/12/2025 15:09

If it’s not related to your previous cancer diagnosis then why have you been off 6 weeks? What’s your plan for getting back to work? How much longer do you think you’ll be off? Employers have a right to understand if someone they are likely paying full pay is going to be making a reappearance in the workplace ….

The OP cannot predict the future and is not a health professional who can diagnose and treat herself...

Yourinmyspot · 31/12/2025 15:36

I had one earlier this year after having a few weeks off. I found the meeting is more for them to help you to get back to work and if any adjustments in the workplace can be made to help with this. Also they can ask you to see occupational health if they think it’s appropriate.

In my case it was an existing ongoing issue that occupational health couldn’t do anything about. At the first meeting they put me on a review, and as I had more time off it went to stage 2 which is pretty much the same as the first one.

I then had another one 3 months later as it had to be reviewed but as I’d had no more absences it was all cleared so start from scratch if I’m off again.

They explained to me that these absences are triggered automatically at certain points regardless of why you are off, and the meetings are there to help you return to work.

Try not to worry too much, and I hope it goes okay for you.

stichguru · 31/12/2025 15:57

I guess what your boss will be interested in is

  • why have you been off so long
  • how long do you think you will need to be off
  • is there anything they could do to help you get back to work (e.g. part-time, flexi time. aids or adaptations to help you with work)
I guess what you need to share is what they need to know to know the answers to these things. You don't NEED to share anything per se, but if they are paying you sick pay and having to cover your work load, it's polite to help them plan for how long you will be off. Legally they have a duty to support you to be in work if you can be, but obviously they can't do this if they don't know what's been happening.
stichguru · 31/12/2025 15:58

user5090900 · 30/12/2025 22:31

I have a previous cancer diagnosis from 6 years ago should I share that. I am not sure if this illness is related to the cancer diagnosis

You don't have to, but if you feel it would help them to understand the issues you are currently facing and potentially support you with these it may be helpful.

calminggreen · 01/01/2026 15:43

@Greenwitchart

no but there has been so many posts lately with people on long term sick - months / years with “mental health” issues - blocking jobs should be taken really seriously by employers

miamo12 · 01/01/2026 15:49

You need to have your fit notes from the doctors and they will be seeking information on when you can return and if you require reasonable adjustments. After 6 weeks they need clarification on the state of play basically. If this is a long term sickness situation they will need cover etc. depending on your employer, after 3 months it gets trickier because they can consider your position

HollyhockDays · 01/01/2026 15:58

Presumably you have been submitting a fit note that outlines why you are off. Your manager will have seen that.

Are you still off?

Original poster
user5090900 · 01/01/2026 16:14

HollyhockDays · 01/01/2026 15:58

Presumably you have been submitting a fit note that outlines why you are off. Your manager will have seen that.

Are you still off?

@HollyhockDays I am still off for one more week with a fit note then I have holiday booked and I'm hoping to return after that.

OP posts:
HollyhockDays · 01/01/2026 16:20

When is the review meeting?

Original poster
user5090900 · 01/01/2026 16:22

HollyhockDays · 01/01/2026 16:20

When is the review meeting?

Monday

OP posts:
Mildorado · 01/01/2026 16:31

These meetings are for your employer to give you an opportunity to discuss any problems. They will need to know if you feel recovered and if there's anything which could be put in place to support you, and arrange for a phased return.
Do you think that the illness was caused by the job, or aggravated by it?

Original poster
user5090900 · 01/01/2026 17:37

Mildorado · 01/01/2026 16:31

These meetings are for your employer to give you an opportunity to discuss any problems. They will need to know if you feel recovered and if there's anything which could be put in place to support you, and arrange for a phased return.
Do you think that the illness was caused by the job, or aggravated by it?

I think possibly aggravated by it but I don't know.

OP posts:
Candleabra · 01/01/2026 17:47

If aggravated by the job then manager needs to know what the issue is to mitigate in the future. Are they generally supportive or are there reasons you don’t want to be open about your illness? I understand medical privacy etc but it is so frustrating as a manager when someone is off sick and won’t really disclose why or whether it’s going to be long term. Have you been referred to occ health yet?