The performance of fit notes since their introduction in April 2010 is the topic of today's second guest blog post from Professor Sayeed Khan, Chief Medical Adivsor at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation.
In this series, Professor Khan presents some key findings from the eighth annual Sickness Absence & Rehabilitation survey from EEF and Westfield Health. The survey is based on data collected from 454 EEF member organisations between 6 January 2011 and 2 February 2011.
Professor Sayeed Khan: Fit notes are off to a good start, but more must be done
In April 2010 the familiar sick note was retired and replaced by the new fit note, intended to improve communication between GPs and employers and so facilitate better and quicker rehabilitation. So how is it working?
It is easy to take a 'glass half empty' view of the results of our survey. Many employers appear yet to be convinced. However, more than 20% indicated that fit notes had already helped them to reduce sickness absence. That is an impressive start and a good foundation on which we must continue to build.
In this series, Professor Khan presents some key findings from the eighth annual Sickness Absence & Rehabilitation survey from EEF and Westfield Health. The survey is based on data collected from 454 EEF member organisations between 6 January 2011 and 2 February 2011.
Professor Sayeed Khan: Fit notes are off to a good start, but more must be done
In April 2010 the familiar sick note was retired and replaced by the new fit note, intended to improve communication between GPs and employers and so facilitate better and quicker rehabilitation. So how is it working?
It is easy to take a 'glass half empty' view of the results of our survey. Many employers appear yet to be convinced. However, more than 20% indicated that fit notes had already helped them to reduce sickness absence. That is an impressive start and a good foundation on which we must continue to build.
The Government needs to continue to drive a culture change amongst GPs
with training and the roll-out of an electronic fit note.
Employers need to be proactive in making local GPs aware of the adjustments they can make to help early return. Our survey found that doing so significantly improved the quality of fit notes received.
We are currently developing some materials to help employers improve communication with their local GPs on this important subject
Find out more about the Sickness Absence & Rehabilitation 2011 survey from EEF and Westfield Health.
Read all the posts in this series:
XpertHR resources on absence:
Employers need to be proactive in making local GPs aware of the adjustments they can make to help early return. Our survey found that doing so significantly improved the quality of fit notes received.
We are currently developing some materials to help employers improve communication with their local GPs on this important subject
Find out more about the Sickness Absence & Rehabilitation 2011 survey from EEF and Westfield Health.
Read all the posts in this series:
- EEF absence trends 2011 (1): Sickness absence continues to decline
- EEF absence trends 2011 (2): Fit notes are off to a good start, but more must be done
- EEF absence trends 2011 (3): Managing absence works
- EEF absence trends 2011 (4): Positive signs on rehabilitation
XpertHR resources on absence:
- Fit notes FAQs
- XpertHR Benchmarking data on Absence
- Absence & Turnover Take part in XpertHR's benchmarking survey on absence and turnover.
- Absence rates and costs: 3.3% of working time lost to absence
- How to deal with sickness absence
- Attendance management FAQs
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