NEWS & EVENTS

With just three weeks to the introduction of the Governments new fit note system, employment specialists have warned that it could cause confusion amongst the regions employers, and  possibly lead to disputes.

The new scheme, which comes in to effect on 6^th April will see the current hand written  sick note  system, where a GP signs off an employee from work replaced with a computer generated medical fit note explaining what the patient may be able to do.

Under the new system, the fit note asks doctors to list whether the employee would benefit from a phased return to work, altered hours, amended duties or workplace adaptations.  What they are not required to do is to go into detail about exactly what a worker could do related to their original role.

Phil Cookson, Partner with Peterborough based Roythorne Christmas solicitors said

It is difficult to see how a GP can recommend a plan of action without knowing the full details of what the worker does, or the circumstances of their workplace.  It is also open to question what happens in an employee feels they are not fit for a phased return or specific duties and the employer insists they are.

Phil went on to say that the idea behind the system was however a good one

With millions of days lost each year due to sickness, there clearly needs to be some structure in place, and if the new system can get people back in to work quicker, then it has to be better for the UK economy, we just need to make sure that GPs, employees and employers work together to find a suitable solution.