OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

20. The OHS supplier will provide independent and comprehensive medical advice to the Gambling Commission and its employees about measures to manage attendance, prevent or resolve health problems. Including

a. any reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, b. phased return to work, c. advice on the prospects of a return to full capability or reduced hours/work, d. suitability of alternative employment, e. the appropriateness of ill- health retirement in line with the Civil Service Pension Scheme criteria, f. advice on serious underlying medical conditions (where applicable) identification of any health and safety risks to that individual

21. The supplier should have clinics / facilities available across England, Scotland and Wales to accommodate the Gambling Commission's home-based workers.

22. The approach must offer clear practicable advice as to what the employee can do to remain in/return to work and if applicable on adjusted duties.

Attendance Management

23. Where an employee's disability or medical condition prevents them from travelling to the nearest clinic within reasonable travelling distance, the service will be provided by telephone or home visit as appropriate.

Attendance Management - Case Conferences

24. A case conference may be required on occasions either adhoc or part of an attendance management process. The purpose of the case conference is to discuss in more detail ways of resolving long term absences including prognosis where appropriate and advising on repeated short-term absences where a medical condition may be the cause. Areas of disagreement may also be discussed such as when the OHS supplier has recommended a course of action with which the individual disagrees.

Case conferences will usually take place with the Gambling Commission's HR Business Partner, managers, the OH Adviser.

Referral Process

25. Referrals will be made electronically from the employee's manager or via a nominated member of the Gambling Commission's HR team. Where the referral is from the employee's manager, this may require approval by a nominated member of the Gambling Commission's HR team before the referral is processed.

26. Assessments may be completed face to face and / or telephone assessment. In the case of a telephone assessment, the OHS supplier must notify the Gambling Commission of this recommendation prior to the telephone assessment taking place with the option of changing this to a face to face assessment if necessary.

27. Employees referred to the supplier's OHS are required to complete a consent form detailing that they understand the purpose of and consent to the referral taking place. This will include a consent to the OHS supplier requesting additional information where required from the employee's GP and/or specialist consultant, and for a copy of the OH report to be forwarded to the employee's GP/specialist consultant.

28. The supplier will liaise with other medical practitioners who may be treat