Fit notes replace sick notes

Fit notes

From 6 April 2010 new fit notes replace sick notes

What happens currently?

Medical statements are issued by doctors to employees when they are ill or injured. They are commonly used by employers as evidence for sick pay purposes.

With the current statement, doctors describe an individual's condition and indicate whether or not they are fit to work.

What is the fit note?

The Statement of Fitness for Work, or 'fit note', is a new Medical Statement that doctors will issue from 6 April 2010, which is relevant to all employers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

It replaces the old 'sick note' and aims to provide more useful information on how your employee's condition affects what they do and how they might be able to return to work.

A doctor will give a 'may be fit for work' statement if they think that your employee's health condition may allow them to work - as long as you give them the appropriate support.

What's different about the new fit note?

In the past, doctors have either said that 'you should refrain from work' or 'you need not refrain from work'. With the fit note the doctor will be able to advise their patient if they are 'not fit for work' or a new option - 'may be fit for work taking account of the following advice'.

A doctor will be able to suggest ways of helping an employee get back to work. This might mean discussing:

• a phased return to work
• altered hours
• amended duties
• workplace adaptations

The doctor will also provide general details of the functional effect of the individual's condition.

While you won't have to act on the doctor's advice in a 'may be fit for work' statement, it may help you make simple and practical adjustments to help your employee return to work and reduce unnecessary sickness absence.

Posted on www.businesslink.gov.uk 06/04/10