Glossary · UK
What is Occupational Health?
A workplace service that supports employee health and wellbeing, advising on fitness for work, adjustments and managing illness or injury at work.
Full Definition
Occupational health is a specialist service that helps employers manage the relationship between work and health. In the UK, occupational health professionals -- often nurses or doctors -- assess whether an employee is fit for their role, advise on reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, support a return to work after sickness absence, and help prevent work-related ill health such as stress, musculoskeletal problems or exposure to hazards. Referrals are usually made by an employer, often after prolonged or repeated absence. The service is advisory: it does not replace your GP, and recommendations are not binding, though employers should consider them carefully. Occupational health reports may inform decisions on phased returns, redeployment or capability processes. For employees, engaging constructively can protect both health and job security. Larger employers may run in-house teams, while smaller firms typically buy in services. There is no statutory requirement for every employer to provide occupational health, but it supports legal duties on health and safety and disability.