The Department for Work and Pensions has issued new guidance for
employers, employers and doctors on using fit notes. The guidance,
based on research and feedback from patients, GPs, employers, is
designed to help people use the fit note to its full potential by
looking at what a person can do, therefore encouraging a faster
return to work.
The new guidance – which is worth reading - makes clear
that the fit note is linked to someone's general fitness for
work and is not job-specific, allowing flexibility to discuss what
changes could help someone do some work.
The guidance gives doctors support on how they can give the most
useful advice about what patients can do at work and how they can
return to the workplace as soon as possible, with potential advice
being how staff could explore a period of home working or flexible
working.
