Duty of care | Top tips for supporting line managers with long term employee sickness absence

Long term sickness absence can be a minefield for the best of line managers; do they call the employee?

Will that be seen as pressure that person doesn’t need? What will they say if they do call? They’re not doctors or even confidants. But, at the same time, line managers face pressure and uncertainty when a team member is off for more than four weeks; What’s their duty of care? Should they be discussing ‘reasonable adjustments’ (whatever they are!)? And, when is it appropriate to think about a temporary or permanent replacement?