Trade Union slams government over 'fit notes'
August 28, 2009
A major trade union law firm has slammed the government’s plans to abolish the sick note, in favour of a "fit note", warning that the move could force sick and injured people back to work before they are well enough to return.
Thompsons Solicitors claim that the proposals, contained in a Department for Work and Pensions consultation on reforming the medical statement, would also fail to cut the cost of sick leave to industry or reduce compensation payments to employees made ill or injured by their employers.
In a statement, the law firm argued that unless the new rules oblige employers to make changes to the working conditions of employees who were injured or became sick because of their work, such as by altering their duties or making changes to workstations, then people will either be unable to return to work or will do so only to go off sick again.
Tom Jones, Head of Policy at Thompsons, said that the proposals also appeared to link "well notes" with access to employment and support allowance, an approach he says is "fundamentally wrong".
The law firm said it supported reform of the system in principle, acknowledging that it is always better to find ways of helping people back to work after injury or illness than having them off sick.
However, Mr Jones said that many people remain on sick leave because employers fail to make the necessary adjustments to enable them to work again. "This voluntary approach is highly unlikely to change that. People often find themselves in a no man’s land: not wanting to stay off work, but unable to return."
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