From 6th April 2010, “fit notes” will be introduced in the UK. GP’s will no longer provide employees with “sick notes”. The Government’s “fit note” will allow a GP more scope for comment on the employee’s capacity to return to work. They now have the opportunity to state that the employee “may be fit for work” if some adjustments are made by the employer. They can also comment on the effect the employee’s condition has on their health and what kind of adjustments would aid the employee in returning to work. There are boxes within the form that the GP can tick such as reduced working hours or amended duties. The GP’s suggestions are not binding on the employer.
If the employer cannot make the adjustments suggested by the GP, the employer will be able to treat the employee as if they had been declared “not fit for work”. Of course, the GP can still declare the employee as “not fit for work” too.
More next week………
Written by Simone Greasley - our HR specialist