Who is the coaching programme for?
The programme is designed for employers wanting to better support their employees to return to professional roles after an extended unplanned absence, by providing coaching for both the returning professional and their line manager.
Common reasons for unplanned career breaks include:
- Physical health (e.g. cancer, strokes, long COVID, menopause, musculoskeletal conditions)
- Mental health (e.g. burnout, stress, anxiety, depression)
- Caring for a family member with a long-term illness
- Bereavement
Why is this support needed?
The need is clear:
- UK sickness absence is at a 15-year high (CIPD)
- In 2022-3, 1.77 million workers suffering from work-related ill-health, resulting in 31.5 million lost working days (HSE)
- Employers are losing £85 billion a year from sickness, turnover and lost productivity.
At the same time, caring responsibilities are growing as we live and work longer:
- 5.8 million people in the UK are unpaid carers, with 3 million in paid employment (2021 census).
What are the coaching objectives?
The programme is designed to promote both a supportive workplace and individual re-engagement, enabling a faster and more sustainable return to work. Key aims include:
- Smoother reintegration for employees after a long leave of absence
- Equipping line managers with practical tools to provide effective reintegration support
- Accelerating the return to productivity
- Boosting job satisfaction and increasing retention
Note: coaching can complement a wider return to work plan, alongside employee assistance programmes, vocational rehabilitation, therapy or other occupational health provisions
What is the coaching programme format?
This is a tailored, flexible 1:1 coaching programme, delivered by specialist return-to-work coaches – accredited and experienced professionals.
For more information
Contact Hazel or Karen on employers@careerreturners.com
