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Government to scrap the Sick Note

23 June 2009

The Government has announced plans to replace the current ‘sick note’ used by GPs with a new ‘fit note’.

The ’fit note’ which has been developed by healthcare professionals, trade union and employer representatives will contain suggestions on how unwell employees can be eased back into work.

The proposal for change followed on from a report by Dame Carol Black into the health of the UK working population and the negative impact of sickness absences on organisations. In 2007 alone, approximately 172 million days were lost to sickness absence. While the cost to the economy is damaging, the report has highlighted that being signed off work is not necessary or beneficial to an individual employee either. The longer an employee is out of work, the less likely they are to return.

Whereas the ‘sick note’ did little to assist in facilitating a return, the fit note’ is geared to provide a more constructive approach by focusing on what the employee can do and suggest ways in which the employer can assist the employee in resuming their duties. In this way it is hoped that the ‘fit note’ will prevent people from drifting into long periods of sickness.

It is anticipated that the new ‘fit notes’ will come into use in Spring 2010 and will be available in electronic format.

For further information, contact Amanda Okill on 01227 763939. 

Amanda Okill is an Associate in the Furley Page Employment Law team, she specialises in all aspects of employment legislation, with a particular interest in discrimination law.


 

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