Fit Notes to Replace Sick Notes from April 2010
04 Mar 2010
From April 2010 the current "sick note" or "medical certificate" will be replaced by the Statement of Fitness to Work or "fit note".
Under this new rule GPs will now be able to offer advice on what work an employee may be able to perform together with any adjustments to their working arrangements that could be made in order to facilitate an earlier return to work.
This legislation will affect all employers in Great Britain.
This change has been brought on to get employees back to work earlier to help promote physical and mental wellbeing and to improve organisational effectiveness. The isolation brought on by being absent from work can lead to stress, depression and anxiety.
Therefore, the new "fit note" is designed to give employees and employers more flexibility in how they deal with sickness absence. This might mean that employers have to consider altering an employee's hours of work or modifying their work routine.
The key is to try and establish a line of communication between the employer, employee and their GP or occupational health specialist.
Please contact Andrew Linton on 01892 502323 if you require any further information.