We have a permanent full time employee out on sick leave. The organisation's Occupational Health Doctor's opinion is that this employee will be fit to return to work on a permanent part time 3 day week. Do we have to implement this recommendation even though the job is permanent full time (5 days a week)?

An employer is not legally obliged, but is usually well advised, to act in accordance with medical recommendations from an occupational health expert unless there is good reason (based on evidence) not to do so. You would therefore be expected to have good reasons to demonstrate why this recommendation could not be implemented.

We would recommend you meet with the employee to discuss the medial opinion before taking any action on its recommendation. This will provide the opportunity to explore whether the recommendation can be accommodated and to hear any suggestions the employee may have to make on the recommendation. It may also be important to consider any other reasonable adjustments