Return to work interviews: template and guidance

Run positive and practical return to work interviews with this downloadable template, and read advice on how to prepare and what to cover.

Last reviewed on 7 February 2024
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 1884
Contents
  1. Download our template interview form
  2. When should we hold return to work interviews?
  3. How to conduct the interview

Download our template interview form

It will help you ask questions and record answers:

KeyDoc - Return to work meeting form DOC, 188.0 KB
Download

Note: your local authority (LA) or trust may have its own form that it expects you to use, so check with them first before using our template.

If you do use ours, check it against any relevant absence policies you have, to see if you need to add any questions.

When should we hold return to work interviews?

There’s no statutory requirement to hold interviews.

After a long-term period of absence such as: Sick leave Maternity, paternity or parental leave Time off for study For staff members returning to a different working arrangement like: Flexible or part-time working A phased return to work If the staff member has an ongoing health condition  In situations where the staff member may need extra support, for example following bereavement When leave was due to