Back to work interview template

Create a relaxed environment by holding the meeting in a private, quiet space. Begin with a genuine welcome back and casual catch-up before moving to more formal questions. Listen actively, maintain eye contact, and avoid rushing through the template questions. Emphasize that the interview aims to support their successful return, not to scrutinize their absence.

Keep records of the completed template with absence details, any agreed accommodations or workplace adjustments, follow-up actions with assigned responsibilities, and signatures from both parties. Store this information confidentially in the employee’s file, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations while maintaining documentation for potential future reference.

Consider an occupational health referral if the employee mentions ongoing health issues that might affect their work, if they’ve been absent for an extended period (typically over four weeks), if they request significant workplace adjustments, or if there’s a pattern of frequent absences that might indicate an underlying health condition requiring professional assessment.