Suspension on medical grounds letter template

Suspension on medical grounds letter template

Our Suspension on Medical Grounds Letter Template provides clear communication of an employee’s medical suspension, outlining reasons, duration, and next steps.

£7.90
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 347 words · 2 pages
Jurisdiction England, Wales and Scotland
Based on UK employment law, ACAS guidance
Last review 01/08/2026
Next review 01/02/2027
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .txt · email

Download .doc

Copy [to paste]

Email
Template

[Sender name]

[Sender address]

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

Suspension on medical grounds

I am writing to inform you that, following [a medical incident at work that requires investigation before you are able to use equipment / concerns about your ability to carry out duties due to a medical incident / an occupational health report / a notification from yourself regarding your medical condition], we have decided to place you on a period of medical suspension with immediate effect. This decision has been taken to allow us to investigate the situation and assess any impact on your ability to safely carry out your duties, particularly in relation to workplace safety. This action is

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What is a suspension on medical grounds letter?

The Suspension on Medical Grounds Letter formally notifies an employee of their temporary suspension due to health concerns that may impact their ability to perform their role safely. It outlines the reason for suspension, expected next steps, and any required medical assessments.

This letter ensures compliance with employment law and duty of care obligations while maintaining clear communication with the employee.

Example

Case Study: Suspension on Medical Grounds

Background

ABC Manufacturing Ltd employs John, a chemical technician responsible for handling industrial cleaning agents. One day, John experienced a severe allergic reaction while using a newly introduced chemical, leading to breathing difficulties and a visit to the on-site first aid team.

Initial Response and Risk Assessment

Following the incident, John’s manager reported the event to HR, triggering an immediate risk assessment. The company’s health and safety officer reviewed the incident and consulted with an occupational health provider. It was determined that John’s reaction posed a significant health risk, and further exposure could be dangerous.

Decision to Suspend on Medical Grounds

To protect John’s health and ensure workplace safety, the company suspended him on full pay while investigating the situation. This decision was made in accordance with their duty of care and suspension policy. The HR team also explored temporary alternative roles to keep John engaged in work while avoiding exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Investigation and Resolution

During the suspension, John underwent medical assessments and provided documentation from his GP and occupational health confirming his sensitivity to the chemical. ABC Manufacturing Ltd reviewed their safety procedures and replaced the chemical with a safer alternative. In the interim, John was temporarily reassigned to administrative duties.

After a structured review, John was safely reinstated to his role with appropriate adjustments, including the provision of protective equipment and emergency protocols in case of future reactions.

Key Takeaways

  • Proactive risk assessment ensured a swift response to the incident.

  • Suspension on full pay allowed time for investigation without financial hardship for the employee.

  • Alternative duties helped retain the employee’s engagement during the suspension.

  • Collaboration with occupational health enabled informed decision-making and a safe return to work.

This case highlights the importance of structured medical suspensions to protect employees while maintaining fairness and compliance with employment laws.

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Compliance

UK employment law and best practice

An employer may suspend an employee if their health and safety is at risk. This can be due to:

  • Medical suspension (e.g., an allergic reaction to a workplace chemical).
  • Maternity-related suspension (e.g., working with radiation while pregnant).

Before suspending an employee, the employer must review the risk assessment and take steps to remove or reduce the risk, adjust working conditions, or offer alternative work before considering suspension.

For maternity-related suspensions, additional rules apply to employees who are pregnant, could become pregnant, or have recently given birth. If no suitable adjustments or alternative roles are available, the employee must be suspended on full pay for as long as they or their baby are at risk.

Pay during suspension: Employees are entitled to full pay (including bonuses) for up to 26 weeks, provided they have been employed for at least one month. However, pay may not apply if the employee refuses suitable alternative work without a good reason.

Disputes: If issues arise, the employee can raise a grievance, which the employer must address following their grievance procedure.

UK employment law guidance for Suspension on medical grounds letter template

Related Sick management HR templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this in my small business?

Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.

Is it compliant with 2026 UK employment law?

Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.

Can I customise it for my organisation?

Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.

Do I get instant access to it?

Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.

What if I need more help, not just this template?

If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Suspension on medical grounds letter template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.

Why should I use this Suspension on medical grounds letter template, and not AI to generate it?

AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing sick management processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

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Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
The Suspension on medical grounds letter template is also included in these bundles:

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