The requirement to attend an occupational health meeting will depend on what an employee’s contract states and what the employee handbook recommends.

Occupational health meetings are an effective method for managing long term sickness absence with an employee. They can also be used to safeguard against any health issues an employee may have by suggesting workplace restrictions to monitor chronic pain, such as recommending a standing desk.

An employee handbook or contract may require an employee to attend an occupational health meeting at the request of the employer after a certain period of absence has elapsed. In this scenario, it is the employer’s right to request the occupational health meeting.

Failure to attend an occupational health meeting may affect an employee’s right to receive company sick pay but it should not prevent an employee from receiving statutory sick pay.