Managing a return to work after long-term absence
Practical guidance to effectively manage and support an employee’s return to work after long-term sickness absence


Research shows that employees are more likely to return to work safely and productively following long-term sickness absence if they are well supported during their absence and on their return.
The key considerations for managing an effective return, including for those suffering from long COVID, are outlined in these guides.
Everyone has a role to play in the return-to-work journey:
- returning individuals need to prioritise self-care and self-management to sustain their health and work;
- colleagues can provide valuable practical and emotional support;
- line managers can help returning employees access the work adjustments and support that they need to work effectively;
- people professionals can ensure organisations have compassionate and flexible absence management policies, and rehabilitation approaches to accommodate individual needs.
Guide for people professionals
This guide is designed as a useful professional resource for people professionals.
Download the guide
Line manager guide
This accompanying guide for line managers details how managers can support their team to effectively and sustainably return to work after long term absence.
Download the line manager guide
About Bupa
Bupa Global & UK is one of the UK’s leading healthcare specialists, providing health insurance and operating dental practices, care homes, health clinics and London’s Cromwell Hospital.
Bupa Health Clinics has 45 centres across the UK offering customers health assessments, GP appointments and women’s health services. They also offer a wide range of remote appointments.
They also support companies to keep their employees well and in work, offering services such as employee assistance programmes, mental health onsite support and most recently, introducing COVID-19 support services.
Behaviours that support health, wellbeing and engagement
Managers play a vital role in determining the health, wellbeing and engagement of their team. Research (funded by the CIPD and led by Affinity Health at Work) identified five key behavioural areas for line managers to support the health, wellbeing and engagement of those who work for them:
- Being open, fair and consistent
- Handling conflict and people management issues
- Providing knowledge, clarity and guidance
- Building and sustaining relationships
- Supporting development
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