One of the most common failures in managing long-term sickness is delay. Employers often wait several months before referring to Occupational Health. By this stage, absence has become embedded, and return-to-work becomes more complex.

Early referral allows organisations to understand functional capability, identify reasonable adjustments, and make informed decisions.

In BS v Dundee City Council (2013), the court made clear that employers must take reasonable steps to understand prognosis. This cannot be achieved without appropriate medical input.

Early intervention is not the best practice; it is an essential part of risk management.