26th December 2011 Fit notes double length of absence from work – new analysis

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Fit notes, which were introduced by the Labour government to reduce the length of long-term workplace absences, actually double the time that employees are likely to be off work, according to new analysis by absence management specialist FirstCare.

 

Analysis of FirstCare’s databank of six million days of recorded absence has found that employees were likely to be absent for an average of 47.57 days if they obtained a fit note compared to 19.68 days if they did not – although getting a fit note from a GP did not reduce the potential for repeated absence due to long-term health complaints.

 

FirstCare has attributed the findings to flaws in a fit note system in which health professionals sign off workers for blocks of time rather than considering phased returns to work or guidance on how to manage employee workloads to accommodate their medical needs.

 

FirstCare’s analysis also found that only two thirds of employees requiring a fit note had seen a GP to obtain the necessary paperwork.

 

James Arquette, a Director at FirstCare, said:

 

“Fit notes are doing the opposite of what they were designed for, and because of their inflexibilities are causing employees to be off work for longer without reducing the likelihood of repeated absence.

 

“GPs are in a difficult position, as they are expected to decide what an employee can or can’t do without knowing anything their job, workplace and support services available.  However, the current system doesn’t provide sufficient guidance on how to manage long-term health issues, or allow for either phased returns to work or managed workloads that would reduce long-term absences.  Until these issues are addressed fit notes will continue to be a barrier rather than a solution.”

 

FirstCare has called for the Government to accept the recommendations of last month’s Sickness Absence Review, which was written by Dame Carol Black and David Frost and called for revisions to fit note guidance and the establishment of an Independent Assessment Service to provide in depth assessments that help employees get back to work.