From Sick Note to Fit Note - Getting it Right
Training Session
The law relating to GP provided sick notes has changed. In place of the sick note a new 'Statement of fitness for work' has beenintroduced.
This half day courseuses examples and case studies to contextualise delegate learning.
Business need
All those dealing with sickness, absence or attendance at work will need to know about the changes which cameinto force in April.
Acas worked with DWP to produce guidance on the changes, to explain how they will impact the organisation and ways in which those who deal with absence at work can prepare for the new approach.
What does the new approach mean?
Studies show that work can be good for health. Being engaged in work produces benefits beyond obtaining a salary. The Fit Note has beenintroduced so that the GP can provide simple, clear and practical advice about an employees' fitness to work.
An earlier return to work can bring benefit to both the employee and the organisation. The Fit Noteprovides, where possible, the opportunity for employees and their employers to work together to find an arrangement that works for them both.
Fit Notesgive doctors the opportunity to provide written comments and more detailed views which may help guide decisions. For example, the functional effects of the condition and how the employee might best approach a return to work.
Businesses will need to know what these changes mean for them, what new benefits Fit Notes may introduce and how the new approach can be best handled on an individual basis.
Training suitable for
Delegates who wish to find out about the new fit notes and how they will impact upon their organisation or company.
Note: Delegates who would welcome the chance to discuss and understand the practical application of fit notes will find this course of particular benefit.
Session outline
Fit Notes – What are they?
The need for change
The cost of absence
How are Fit Notes different from Sick Notes? A detailed explanation of the Fit Note and its application including:
- Is the GP’s advice binding - and can the employer insist upon seeing the employees fit note?
- How long do GP recommendations last for?
- May be fit for some work now – what this means - Including GP Recommendation of:
- Phased Return
- Altered Hours
- Amended Duties
- Workplace Adaptations (includes case study)
- Return to Work Process
- The role of the line manager and the need for early intervention
- Preparing for a return to workinterview
- RTW and Risk Assessment (includes case study)
- Short and Long Term Absence – What’s the difference?
- Contractual implications and pay – including (for example) issues where the employer decides not to allow the employee return to work but the employee wants to return to work. (Includes case study)
- Transitional arrangements between sick notes and fit notes - how will this work?
- How does the role of the GPs and the Occupational health specialist change in the new system? (includes case study)
- What if the employer disagrees with the view of the GP, the NHS occupational health specialist or the employee?
- Confidentiality between employer and employee, and employee and other employees – what will change?
- Disability Discrimination and Reasonable Adjustments – what will have changed? Includes examples of Reasonable adjustments.
- Recap of the how the new fit note will work in practice
- Making the changes happen.