As a supervisor, you want to do something when an employee is in absenteeism . You want to help, think along, find solutions. Often you think you know what is good for the other person - "Just take some rest and it will probably get better" or "Maybe you can try half days again next week."
Understandable, because such advice stems from commitment. But beware: such well-meaning advice often focuses on a quick short-term fix, when long-term sustainable recovery is more important.
Moreover, such well-meaning advice is actually medical judgment, and that really belongs to the (medical) professional. Only they can judge what is medically sound and what steps are appropriate for a healthy recovery.
So what can you as a manager do?
- Stay in touch and show that you are involved.
- Ask what does work at the moment, without directing.
- Consult with the (medical) professional or Labor & Health Advisor about the next step.
In short, you are the one who provides the connection and work, while the (medical) professional provides the medical advice.
Working together for sustainable recovery
This way we work together on recovery that is not only quick, but also sustainable. And that is good for both the employee and the organization. Want to know how to help an employee recover sustainably? Then contact us or consult with your Labor & Health Advisor.
