Fit For Work – Is It Fit For Purpose?

According to a 2014 report by the Office of National Statistics, in 2013, 131 million working days were lost due to sickness absence in the UK. Although this represents a slight decline in numbers, it still remains disproportionately high. Successive governments have recognised this issue and have sought to take steps to assist employers. In 2010, the traditional GP's note was replaced with a 'Statement of Fitness for Work'. The idea behind the statement was rather than an employee simply being deemed unfit for all work, GP's were forced to consider alternative options to help an employee back to work such as phased returns, amended duties, altered hours and workplace adaptations. For 2015, the Government has now launched a new Fit for Work ("FFW") Scheme with a view to assisting employers and employees with long-term sickness absence issues.