Keeping in touch

During the leave, an employer is entitled to take reasonable steps to keep in touch with the absent employee.

If their role is under threat of redundancy, the employer must keep the absent employee fully informed of all employee consultation and keep them updated with any suitable alternative employment opportunities that arise during the leave period (see Chapter 11 for the special rules protecting them during this period).

Even if there is no threat of redundancy, an employee absent on maternity, adoption or additional paternity leave has the same right to be kept informed (for example, via intranet access) of suitable internal job opportunities as they arise as comparable members of staff who are not absent (Visa International Service Association v Paul [2004] IRLR 42).