August 08, 2011
The recently introduced fit note system has been a damning verdict by British employers, who have little confidence in the concept and feel that GPs are failing in their duty to get employees to return to work after illness.
Introduced in April 2010, fit notes replaced the age-old sick note system, under which employers consulted with GPs about an employee’s suitability for returning to the office after illness. With fit notes, employees are placed in categories which state that they "may be fit for work taking account of the following advice".
An extensive survey of the fit note system conducted by XpertHR found confusion over who is ultimately responsible for dealing with fit notes in most organisations. 78% of respondents felt it was HR’s job to handle fit notes, but a further 63% said responsibility also lies with line managers, and 20% with occupational health.
One of the main gripes amongst employers is a lack of information being offered by GPs. Fit notes contain a section in which GPs can provide additional information about an employee's condition regarding their suitability for work. However, despite this being a valuable tool for employers, 32% of those surveyed said that section is left blank, with a further 45% claiming the section is completed "infrequently".
Is your business struggling to comprehend the fit note system? Contact our experts today and we’ll make sure you’re fully compliant with new regulations.
