The Government, in an announcement recently, hinted at replacing the current policy of sick note with a new ‘fit note’. However, the Trades Union Congress has expressed apprehension about the new policy with the TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, pointing out to the potential problems that the new system could pose in an employee’s full recovery.
The details of the new fit note have already been officially disclosed, although a 3 month long design consultation is still going on. The ‘fit note’ plans to provide the right guidance to the workers under a given set of circumstances, through which he or she can remain in work despite illness or is able to return to work faster. It will also offer suggestions to the employer as to how an ill or recovering employee can be accommodated in the workplace. For instance, an employee struggling with mobility could be allowed to take up tasks that do not entail much movement.
Brendan Barber however feels that more steps need be taken to speed up the process of getting an injured or ill worker back to work. He says that there is an inherent risk in the proposed system, wherein an early return could prevent the worker from making a full recovery, or could even lead to the illness recurring. Many employers may also not have the requisite know how to provide the correct advice and support for an early return, which could make matters worse for the workers.
Barber also said that the proposed changes in the policy could allow the employers and General Practitioner to force a worker to return to work against his will. It would rather be more prudent to create a better occupational health support system to motivate workers to return earlier, he said.
Employers need to keep themselves up to date with employment relations developments to avoid potential legal action from employers by taking an accredited CIPD course such as the Certificate in personnel practice from Workplace Law Training.
