Employers are about to experience a significant switch in how
employees record their health condition when the 'sick note'
becomes the 'fit note' from April 6, according to Midlands-based
health insurer BHSF.
Brian Hall, marketing director, speaking at a seminar for
businesses hosted by BHSF at its headquarters in Birmingham, said:
"Along with new guidance from the General Medical Council on
independent medical reports this is possibly the biggest change in
the area of employee absence for many years".
The current 'sick note' allows doctors to advise their
patient on whether their health condition means that they should or
should not work while the 'fit note' will state whether the
employee is either 'unfit' or 'may be fit for work'.
A doctor will give a 'may be fit for work' statement if it is
thought their patient's health condition may allow them to work if
they get suitable support from their employer.
According to the Department of Work and Pensions the changes are
not about trying to get people to work before they are ready, but
about "removing the challenges to them returning".
The DWP says that in general work is good for health and the
vast majority of employees place a far greater value on it than
just their pay.
At the BHSF seminar, Lorraine Teague, employment lawyer with
Shakespeare Putsman, told employers: "The new fit note system will
help employers to manage sickness absence if GPs take an active
part, but only so long as the employer's processes are correct and
their employment contracts properly support their processes.
"In the areas of sick pay, sickness absence management and the
now the new 'fit note', they must have the flexibility to
facilitate the employer's chosen course of action".
Brian Hall said that BHSF had increased the number of such
seminars it had held around the country because they were
over-subscribed.
The seminars offer practical help and information and have
followed the BHSF-sponsored Gamgee Lecture at the end of last year
when Dame Carol Black, the architect of the new system, briefed
members of Birmingham Medical Institute.