POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Fit Notes

You may have read articles in the papers regarding the new fit note, which came into force in April this year.  If you have not already received one called a “Statement of fitness for work” it  asks doctors to tick two different options:

1. Not fit for work
2. Fit for some work

Doctors are then told to indicate “if available, and with the employer’s agreement, the employee may benefit from”:

1. A phased return to work
2. Altered hours
3. Amended duties
4. Workplace adaptations

 

Indicating how long the adaptation is required for.

There is a free-form "comments" box for when a doctor thinks another option is more appropriate, but the note does not require them to go into detail regarding which activities an employee can carry out.

You may need to adapt the return to work interview with your employee, particularly if you currently don’t explore these options in situations where this would be appropriate.

It is likely that it will take time for doctors to adapt to this system and additional changes may be necessary once the system has had a chance to imbed.
Robust absence policies and procedures will still be required to manage employees with health issues.  This system will help employers encourage employees to return to work quicker and still be able to contribute to the working environment while they recuperate.

 

What do you need to consider as an employer?

• Review your absence policy and procedure to capture this change
• Inform those in your organisation who manage employee absence
• Think about how managers identify suitable alternative work
• Review training for managers
• Go back to the doctor if you do not get enough information
• Monitor the adaptation period
• Seek medical reports - Make use of Occupational Health Resources if applicable