DWP sickness absence statistics in the 12 months to 30 September 2009 show average recorded sickness absence of 8.4 days per staff member.  At the present time an employee who is absent from work due to ill health or injury will obtain a sick note as evidence for sick pay purposes. Currently these sick notes state the condition complained of and whether or not the patient is fit to return to work.

From the 6 April 2010 GP’s will issue ‘Statements of Fitness for Work’ or ‘Fit Notes’ in which there will be an option to offer advice on simple and practical ways in which the employee could return to work with assistance from their employer. Employers will not be bound by recommendations made by GP’s in ‘fit notes’ and if unable to implement them should consider it as if the GP has advised the employee is not fit for work for the purposes of sick pay.  

In cases where an employee has been on sick leave for more than 7 days a GP can use a fit note to comment that the person’s condition may allow them to return to work with appropriate support from their employer. Recommendations to help the employee back to work include:-

The aim of the new ‘fit note’ is to reduce unnecessary sickness absence. Evidence shows that returning to work can assist a worker’s recovery from illness or injury and that long-term absence can lead to loss of confidence, isolation, de-skilling, social exclusion and mental health issues. Sickness absence also has an adverse impact on employers as they are affected by the loss of a skilled member of staff. In short, going to work is good for our health!

 

 

 

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