Fit for Work Service Rolled Out

Employees who have been absent for at least four weeks because of illness or injury can now be referred by their G.P.’s to a new Fit for Work service.  It is hoped that the new service will assist in increasing the number of employees making a return to work from sick leave without incapacity becoming long term.

The service is available to employees who are assessed as being likely to return within three months and have not had a previous referral in the past 12 months.  The service relies on employees giving their consent to an initial assessment to a return to work plan being shared with the employer and to the GP and employer being contacted about the employee’s absence.

As a result of a referral to the Fit for Work service, a case manager will prepare a return to work plan which is shared with the employer.  This can replace the fit note otherwise prepared by the G.P. and the plan can therefore evidence sickness absence in order to administer statutory or company sick pay.

Whilst any recommendations in a return to work plan are not binding, any failure to implement recommendations could be considered adversely in an unfair dismissal or disability discrimination case.  Sometimes, the plan may recommend medical treatment which can be exempt from income tax or national insurance up to £500.00 per tax year.

It will be interesting to review how successful the scheme is once referrals start to be made.  There is some concern over proactivity and the level of dialogue and cooperation between the employer, employee and GP; but it is positive that there is some further mechanism to trying to manage employees and prevent long term sickness absence.