The Government has announced further details concerning the new “Statement of Fitness to Work” which is set to replace the current “sick note”.

The current medical statement issued by GPs is generally viewed as inadequate and easily manipulated. Current research has demonstrated that being in work is beneficial to employee health, while being out of work can have a negative impact on both physical and mental well-being.

The intent of the new notes is to encourage people to stay in work (or get back to work), while encouraging a more supportive work environment for those with physical and/or mental health issues. The proposed system will concentrate on addressing health problems at an early stage and developing more inclusive work management systems which will support workers and encourage them into the workplace.

The British economy is estimated to lose around £13 billion a year due to sickness absence, with 172 million working days lost annually. Under the new system, GPs still be able to indicate whether or not a person is fit for work, but they will now also be able to designate that a person is fit to work reduced duties or to carry out alternative work.

In order to help encourage employees to stay in the workplace, GPs will be able to recommend the following:

• A phased return to work.
• Alteration of work hours.
• Amended duties.
• Modifications to the workplace to accommodate health problems.

The new system is intended to shift the focus from what an employee can’t do to what they can do, in an attempt to reduce the damaging effects of sickness absence to both workers and their employers. If the new proposals are approved, the changes could be implemented by early next year.

Ashby Cohen solicitors specialise solely in UK employment law, and have many years of experience in negotiating the vagaries of this broad and complicated subject. Visit our employment law web site for more information on the services we provide.

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