Is your business ‘fit’ for Fit Notes?

With the introduction of the new “fit note” medical statement system on April 6 2010, both employers and employees have a range of a new considerations for all the stages of workplace absence, and it’s far better to proactively prepare to work with the new process than to learn solely by experience.

One of the most fundamental differences is that Doctors will no longer need to see the patient before issuing a note, and in addition, the system no longer merely signs off a person from work. The new note has two categories: “Not fit for work” and “May be fit for work with the following limitations”, and there is then a tick box section for the recommendation of either reduced hours, modified work, workplace adaptations or a phased return or combinations of these adjustments. The general practitioner can then elaborate on their proposed modifications.