Fit notes entail a fundamental change of mindset

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Employee Benefits Summit: Fit notes entail a fundamental change of mindset

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Fit notes entail a fundamental change of mindset for employers and medical professionals to implement but are essential for reducing the cost of sickness absence and improving long-term workplace wellbeing.

Addressing delegates at the Employee Benefits Summit, held in Monte Carlo, Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work at the Work and Wellbeing Delivery Unit, admitted that some organisations had experienced problems with fit notes, which were sometimes not completed properly by GPs.

For example out of the 2,900 fit notes received by The Royal Mail, only 31 of them contained information on what an absent employee may be fit to do in the workplace.

“This is a massive change. It is not easy to do but the whole aim [now] is to get the fit note used properly.”

Black argued that the previous sick note system did not benefit the employer or employee. “I think it is poor advocacy for the patient to be kept in a system which can lose them their self esteem, dignity and status in society,” she said.

“The sick note has been around for 80 years. All it is a binary system, either you are a 100% fit or 100% fit.”

She reminded employers that sickness absence was costing UK businesses £100 billion a year, which is the equivalent to running the National Health Service and the gross domestic product of Portugal.

One of the key disincentives to employers of overhauling their health and wellbeing strategies was lack of awareness of the business and social benefits of early intervention, as well as the perception that [an employee] needs to be 100% fit to return to work.

Other barriers to early intervention Black cited were the present economic climate and managers being ill-equipped to manage employees’ health.

[DirtyHarry]

Idealy, vermin like Carol Black would love to sack their employees for having the temerity to be sick, or see sickness pay abolished, then the vermin in Britain's boardrooms would save £100 billion a year.
Imagine the size of the salaries that vermin like Black would award themselves, thanks to the £100 billion they'd save by forcing you ever nearer that early grave. Touching scene, 'aint it?

[baldrick]

Addressing delegates at the Employee Benefits Summit, held in Monte Carlo

I wonder how much these employee bashing jollies cost?

[Thunderthighs]

Currently off with doggy trouble...3rd AOD in under 2 yrs.

GP ticked "Amended Duties" section and Top Knob - who called at home today - said, "Well, you are ok for some work, so we'll ring you to see you come back..."
Er...I don't think so. Surely, the Amended section is for WHEN you return AFTER THE SICKNOTE Runs Out, or am I being thick?!

Don't feel ready to return after 2 days, so will STRONGLY state, "maybe" next week...If I feel ready for it.
Going back too soon would undo any recover/rehab time.

ATOS mentioned, so I won't return til I've spoken to them to confirm recovery/rehab period has been fulfilled.

[andy2007]

No, it means as of when you saw the Doctor. If you're not able to work at all at the time, the Doctor can state that you're not currently fit for work. That's what my Doctor put on mine, earlier this year.

The point of these new Fit Notes, is so that when you do return to work (which they'll want you to do ASAP). If they FAIL to give you suitable ammended duties (as per the advide on the Fit Note), then in theory, you've got them for negligence. Although I don't yet know of anyone who's needed to test this.

[General Mannerheim]

No, it means as of when you saw the Doctor. If you're not able to work at all at the time, the Doctor can state that you're not currently fit for work. That's what my Doctor put on mine, earlier this year.

The point of these new Fit Notes, is so that when you do return to work (which they'll want you to do ASAP). If they FAIL to give you suitable ammended duties (as per the advide on the Fit Note), then in theory, you've got them for negligence. Although I don't yet know of anyone who's needed to test this.

LoL really? Currently taking them to a tribunal over it.
They won't even give me a risk assessment or allow Access to work to come in as my DOM is a c.ock who thinks he's above the law.

[andy2007]

Do you know if anyone's already won a case against an employer for failing to follow the medical advise on a Fit Note?
I hope so, because the first case of this type, will be an important test case for everyone!

Good luck.