We have an employee on long term sick leave - what level of contact can/should we have with that employee?

Sick leave is considered a protected period and, generally, an employer should not contact an employee during this time. However, there may be circumstances where an employer may justifiably contact an employee during long-term sick leave. This includes where the employee’s sick certificates have expired and no contact has been made regarding a return date, where the employer needs to establish a likely return to work date or where an employer may be concerned regarding the wellbeing of the employee. An employer may also make contact where there is a business case to do so, for example, where the business is being structured and a redundancy or TUPE situation arises.  An employer may