Invitation to a Stage 2 Long-term Sickness Absence Meeting

This letter is used to invite an employee to a Stage 2 formal review meeting under a long-term sickness absence procedure.

Long-term sickness absence means an absence of at least 28 calendar days. For repeated short, unrelated absences, see the frequent short-term absence documents instead.

The meeting is triggered when the employee reaches the relevant threshold set out in the employer’s long-term sickness absence policy, such as 28 days or three months. It follows the Stage 1 long-term sickness absence formal meeting.

When to Use This Stage 2 Long-Term Sickness Absence Meeting Letter

Use this letter where an employee’s absence has continued to the Stage 2 review point under the sickness absence management procedure.

It invites the employee to a further formal meeting to review the ongoing absence and discuss what may help them return to work.

What the Stage 2 Meeting Will Address

The meeting is intended to review the employee’s current position and the likely duration of the absence.

It can also be used to discuss possible steps to support a return to work, including:

• a phased return;
• amended working hours; and
• amended job duties.

Although the purpose of the meeting is to encourage and facilitate a return to work, it also forms part of a process that may later be relied on to justify a fair dismissal.

Support, Attendance, and Meeting Adjustments

The letter gives the employee the right to be accompanied to the meeting.

Employers should also consider whether the meeting would be easier or more productive if:

• it were held off-site; or
• the employee were allowed to be accompanied by a family member.

An employee on long-term sickness absence may be suffering from a disability. In that case, reasonable adjustments may need to be made, including adjustments to the meeting arrangements.

This letter asks the employee what adaptations may be needed to enable them to attend.

Next Step After the Meeting

A second stage formal warning will be issued at the review meeting and confirmed in writing. See the Letter confirming the outcome of a Stage 2 long-term sickness absence meeting.

Invitation to a Stage 2 Long-term Sickness Absence Meeting is part of Employment. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Employment for 1 year.