{"id":97,"date":"2012-08-21T15:58:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-21T15:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sjbealehrconsult-co-uk.php5.hostingweb.co.uk\/blog\/?p=97"},"modified":"2012-08-21T15:58:00","modified_gmt":"2012-08-21T15:58:00","slug":"role-of-the-fit-note-in-managing-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sjbealehrconsult.co.uk\/blog\/role-of-the-fit-note-in-managing-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"Role of the Fit Note in Managing Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 6 April 2010 the fit note replaced the doctor\u2019s sick\u00a0<\/span>note that had been in existence for sixty years.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It was\u00a0<\/span>intended that this new system will enable employees to get back to\u00a0<\/span>work more quickly and reduce absence costs, which cost the UK e<\/span>conomy 17.3 billion annually.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The fit note system focuses on what employees can do rather than what they can\u2019t do focusing on positives rather than negatives.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

The fit note, a copy of which can be downloaded from\u00a0<\/span>www.direct.gov.uk, has advice options for completion and no need for the\u00a0<\/span>employee to return to the GP to be confirmed fit; the fit note merely\u00a0<\/span>expires.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

The fit note is still required after seven consecutive days sickness and there are obligataions under the Equality Act 2010 so that any advice in that respect could be binding.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

The first fit note issued by the GP can last for a maximum period of\u00a0<\/span>three months when hopefully the employee will be back at work.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>However a subsequent fit not can be issued for a longer period eg six\u00a0<\/span>months.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There is no need for a GP to have a face to face assessment\u00a0<\/span>of their patient to issue a fit note, it can be done over the telephone.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The GP\u2019s advice on the fit note is not binding; it is meant to lead to a\u00a0<\/span>discussion between employee and employer.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>If an employee or an\u00a0<\/span>employer do not agree with the fit note\u2019s reasonable adjustments due\u00a0<\/span>to impracticalities in the workplace either can choose not to accept\u00a0<\/span>these and the employee can remain off sick until the expiry of the fit\u00a0<\/span>note.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Likewise if an employee wishes to return to work earlier than the fit\u00a0<\/span>note states, they may do so provided the employer is in agreement.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>However, in such cases, employers need to be wary of employees\u00a0<\/span>wishing to return to work for financial reasons and not being fully fit.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>To overcome potential liabilities, employers could implement a risk<\/span><\/div>\n
assessment, discuss concerns, ask the employee to go back to the GP\u00a0<\/span>or use occupational health advice to back up a decision.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The role of the line manager is key in the successful operation of\u00a0<\/span>the fit note system.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They will need to be proactive and develop a\u00a0<\/span>whole new set of skills with clear guidance and training provided by\u00a0<\/span>the organisation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Managers need to understand what they have to\u00a0<\/span>do.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Organisations need to develop a clear procedure for the fit note\u00a0<\/span>process to be incorporated into an existing absence policy.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Any\u00a0<\/span>changes should be consulted over and clearly communicated to all\u00a0<\/span>members of staff.<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

The procedure should detail obligations for both manager and\u00a0<\/span>employee and how the process will work in practice.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>For example, the\u00a0<\/span>requirement for a face to face meeting called in writing to discuss\u00a0<\/span>suggested reasonable adjustments, if appropriate, should ideally be\u00a0<\/span>necessary.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The discussion should include whether the adjustments are<\/span><\/div>\n
viable, how they will work and how long they will last.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The possible use of occupational health should also be discussed and if\u00a0<\/span>appropriate an appointment set up, which would delay a proposed\u00a0<\/span>return.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Also there might need to be a simple risk assessment to\u00a0<\/span>ensure safety on return.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The impact on colleagues in relation to the\u00a0<\/span>employee\u2019s reasonable adjustments could also be an issue for<\/span><\/div>\n
discussion.\u00a0 A clear date should be set for the employee to return to\u00a0<\/span>work with hours and duties confirmed and any restrictions.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The subject of pay may need to be included particularly where there is\u00a0<\/span>no contractual sick pay.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The procedure may need to incorporate an\u00a0<\/span>enhanced SSP supplement for a phased return to work for example so\u00a0<\/span>that it is worthwhile for the employee.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Any issue related to this should\u00a0<\/span>be discussed with HMRC on 08457 143143.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Likewise if an employee can not be allowed back to work for\u00a0<\/span>impracticality reasons, they need to have these clearly explained.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Extra care should be taken with certain types of workers \u2013 home\u00a0<\/span>workers, shift workers, safety critical employees and those who work\u00a0<\/span>at heights for example.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The meeting should be documented and confirmed in writing with a\u00a0<\/span>copy for the employee to sign to show agreement to a proposal.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>To standardise company practice a pro forma for meetings could be\u00a0<\/span>created or a check list drawn up to help managers cover the\u00a0<\/span>appropriate areas.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The return to work should be monitored on a regular basis to ensure\u00a0<\/span>the employee and manager is both happy with the situation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>This can\u00a0<\/span>be done by weekly 1:1s which are documented and take place until the\u00a0<\/span>employee is back to work as previously.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Use occupational health or an independent GP to investigate long term or difficult areas of absence for protection against any possible disability discrimination claims.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

Key Points to Remember <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u0083<\/span> Discuss the advice on the fit note <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u0083<\/span> Consider how it affects the job <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u0083<\/span> Consider the return to work options <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u0083<\/span> Discuss the options with employees <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u0083<\/span> Is a return to work possible?\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On 6 April 2010 the fit note replaced the doctor\u2019s sick\u00a0note that had been in existence for sixty years.\u00a0 It was\u00a0intended that this new system will enable employees to get back to\u00a0work more quickly and reduce absence costs, which cost the UK economy 17.3 billion annually.\u00a0 \u00a0The fit note system focuses on what employees can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[280,281,120,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-absence-management","category-fit-note","category-occupational-health","category-sickness-absence"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nRole of the Fit Note in Managing Absence -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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