3 Month Consultation to Finalise Fit Note Design
The Government has declared that it will adopt the system of “Fit Notes” to replace the existing “Sick Note” system to help employees remain in work through illnesses. The new system has been introduced as a way to deal with the problems highlighted in a 2008 report by Dame Carol Black on the health of Britain’s workforce.
Under the new system, the employees will be advised on flexible ways to allow them to stay at work. If they are unable to do so, then the employers would be able to help these employees return to work at the earliest.
The Work and Pension minister, Lord Bill McKenzie, said that managing long term absenteeism on medical grounds is a tough issue to handle. Adding to the complexity is the ’sick note’ system that leaves no scope for any flexibility, i.e. you are either fit for work or should stay at home. The ‘fit note’ would help curb this problem to a great extent by allowing midway solutions, allowing people to perform alternative jobs.
The ‘fit note’ system will allow people to avoid drifting into a long-term sickness absence, which harms both the employee and the employer. The concept of fit note will be refined further through a process of consultations among experts from the healthcare industry, representatives of businesses, and trade unions. It will take about 3 months to give final shape to the note and the scheme will be implemented across Britain in early 2010.
Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues. Companies should make themselves fully aware of the most up-to-date requirements by visiting Workplace Law and looking at their highly regarded nebosh fire certificate courses.
