Forward to a colleague View as a webpage Add us to your white list Quick Links »   Return-to-work interviews   Alcohol and drugs   Armed forces   Surveys   Highlights News   Blog Return-to-work interviews Are line managers up to the task? Latest XpertHR research finds that although the return-to-work interview is a well-established tool, it stands or falls according to the competence of line managers. Top tips for conducting return-to-work interviews This research focuses on the practicalities of using return-to-work interviews: how they should be conducted; what they should cover; and approaches to be adopted where the employee has been absent due to a disability. Top Alcohol and drug testing Alcohol and drug testing at work The Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work in 2002 concluded that there are many reasons not to test routinely. However, as well as "for cause" and post-incident testing, there are a number of instances where OH can use a testing programme as part of a range of measures to support employees. Implementing a drugs and alcohol policy According to the Health and Safety Executive, 3% to 5% of all absences from work in the UK are for alcohol-related reasons - representing between eight million and 14 million lost working days each year. We consider how an employer can and should deal with employees who allow their personal excesses to spill over into the workplace. Top Occupational health in the armed forces Occupational health nurses in the armed forces OH nurses play a vital part in assessing, rehabilitating and resettling Britain's armed forces. This feature covers the development of the army OH nursing service, its relationships with other health professionals and the impact of military operations. Occupational health challenges in the army The role of OH in preparing servicemen and women for combat is in question after a recent Supreme Court ruling. Top Take part in XpertHR's research surveys Complete our absence initiatives survey Take part in our brief absence initiatives survey and you will be entitled to a free copy of our recent report on absence rates and costs on completion of the questionnaire. You will also get a complimentary copy of the absence initiatives report as soon as our research has been completed. Complete our absence and labour turnover rates survey Take part in our ongoing confidential research and ensure that you receive the most up-to-date absence and labour turnover figures. Completing it will also mean you get a complimentary copy of our findings from last year. Top Edited highlights Outlook video: abolition of the default retirement age XpertHR’s head of content Jo Stubbs and group editor David Shepherd discuss the Government’s proposals on retirement, under which, from 6 April 2011, employers will no longer be able to rely on the default retirement age to maintain a compulsory retirement age for their workforce. Weekly dilemma: Pre-employment screening How can employers find out more about candidates before they start work? Top Latest news from XpertHR › Maternity leave extension could cost the UK £2.5 billion › Email stress can wipe out benefit of holiday › Companies hit by cost of employees on long-term sick › Many would welcome stress counselling › Study identifies risk of death in different types of professions › Workplace social events may be detrimental Top Latest from Employment Intelligence blog › Too rich to retire › Equality Act tips on lawful pre-job-offer health screening › Why it pays to take stress management seriously › What sick-pay rates do your competitors offer? Top Editor's message RETURN-TO-WORK INTERVIEWS Our survey of 166 employers on their use and assessment of return-to-work interviews finds that such interviews are widely used. But just how effective and meaningful they are depends on the competence and engagement of line managers. Half our respondents tell us that return-to-work interviews are not used consistently in their organisations. The reasons are clear. Line managers lack either the confidence, time or buy-in to conduct them properly. However, with effective support from HR and senior management these issues could be addressed and resolved. Our findings show that just one in three employers actually do so. Until the quantity and quality of training in this area improves, it is hard to see how line managers can in turn improve their performance. Noelle Murphy Attendance and absence, XpertHR NEW! Find the right place to advertise your job vacancy. Research and compare thousands of regional, trade magazines, job sites and the national press. Save time and money on recruitment advertising. XpertHR Benchmarking Benchmark your employment practices, policies and performance; download results for use in your own reports; and benefit from four decades of HR benchmarking expertise. 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