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Employers divided over fit note benefits
HR News |
29/12/2011
Employers have been given the nudge they needed to open communication channels with workers about absenteeism, it has been claimed.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the introduction of the ‘fit note’ to replace the ‘sick note’ has changed the way employers approach the issue.
More than half of employers (52 per cent) agree that the change has enabled line managers to prompt conversations about absence and health issues with their staff.
These findings follow the publication of recommendations from the government-commissioned independent review into sickness absence, which highlights the importance of helping employees that are off work sick to make supported and phased returns to work.
Just under a third of the organisations (31 per cent) questioned by the CIPD said fit notes help line managers manage absence more effectively.
The vast majority of employers (87 per cent) have used the fit note in their organisations, however its use was less common in smaller businesses of fewer than 50 employees (54 per cent).
However, less encouraging is the fact that just 11 per cent of survey respondents said the fit note had directly reduced absence in their organisation.
The same number said the mechanism is being used effectively by GPs, meaning there is an obvious disconnect between employers’ needs and current outcomes.
CIPD adviser Dr Jill Miller said fit notes can prompt good quality conversations between managers and their employees, which has a positive impact on the management of absence.
"However, the survey suggests the fit note has yet to have a real impact on reducing absence levels," she stated.
"This is perhaps not surprising considering the culture change needed by GPs, employers and employees to ensure that a phased return-to-work is more frequently regarded as a positive and integral part of employees’ rehabilitation and recovery."
Dr Miller said GPs have generally reacted positively to the change, but employers do not share such a warm view at present.
"GPs and employers need to work from the same page, promoting what is best for the individual employee’s health and well-being, but also what makes sense for the business," she added.
"Employees too need to be more forthcoming and willing to enter these discussions."
However, she said policy makers should not be overly discouraged as it may well take five years before the fit note is consistently used effectively and viewed more favourably by GPs, employers and employees, to support early and lasting returns to work.
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