Category: Health and Safety for Contractors

Professional contractors who have had to take time off work because of ill-health will be given the support they need to get back to employment sooner with the new fit note system.

Replacing the traditional sick note, the initiative, due to come into place on April 6th, is set to cut the cost of sick leave and benefit the economy by £240 million in the next decade.

The fit note scheme will allow doctors to suggest if a patient may be fit for work and offer advice on the effects of their condition, with consultations carried out over the phone if necessary.

"With the right support in place, employers and doctors can work with employees to help them get back to work sooner," commented Lord McKenzie, minister for the Department for Work and Pensions.

Doctors will still be able to use the system to declare a person unfit for work and requirements for the payment of Statutory Sick Pay have not changed.

Posted by John Crawley