Press Office
Fit notes act as prompt to quality workplace conversations about sickness absence between managers and employees but not yet improving absence levels, says CIPD and Simplyhealth
The introduction of the ‘fit note’ to replace the ‘sick note’ has provided the nudge needed for managers to open up important conversations with their staff and discuss the best way to help get individuals back to work. More than half of employers (52%) agree that the introduction of the fit note* has enabled line managers to prompt conversations about absence and health issues with their staff, according to newly released findings from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)/Simplyhealth Absence Management survey.
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 - for example, with the help of a new Independent Assessment Service.
Just under a third of the organisations (31%) questioned in the CIPD/Simplyhealth survey agreed that the fit note helps line managers to manage absence more effectively. The vast majority of employers (87%) have used the fit note in their organisations, however its use was less common in smaller businesses of less than 50 employees (54%).
Less encouragingly, the survey suggests employers remain unconvinced that the fit note has yet had much impact in helping to reduce levels of employee sickness absence. Just one in ten respondents (11%) said the fit note had reduced absence in their organisation. And with the same number of employers believing the fit note is being used effectively by GPs, there is clearly a disconnect between employers’ needs and current outcomes.
Dr Jill Miller, CIPD Adviser, says: “Our research reveals the value fit notes can have in promoting 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. 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.
“We are seeing some positive reviews of the fit note from GPs, 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. Employees too need to be more forthcoming and willing to enter these discussions. Policy makers, however, should not be discouraged as it may well take five years or so 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.”
Gill Phipps, HR spokesperson for Simplyhealth, comments: “We and the CIPD are keen to hear the Government’s response to the recommendations from the recent Sickness Absence Review. Helping people get back into work following illness or prolonged sickness absence is beneficial for both the employee and the employer. Quality support and training are vital for initiatives to properly embed and become successful within our organisations.”
*The Statement of Fitness to Work or fit note replaced the sick note in April 2010. The fit note allows GPs to categorise employees as ‘may be fit for work’, as well as ‘unfit for work’. Its aim is to encourage more employees with health problems to agree with their employer a phased return-to-work, such as reduced hours or the use of varied duties, as part of their rehabilitation and recovery.