Geoffrey Settle Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Just seen a story about Fit Notes now being issued by doctors. These are the notes that you can get from doctors to help you back into work, so that for example you can get back with lighter of different duties instead of staying off and moping around at home. You may have a manual job involving lifting and suffering from back strain such a note might give you the chance to return to work for other duties whilst your back recovers. It's not meant for flu or transmittable diseases etc. What do you think, there?s nothing worse than being away from your workmates is there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlady54 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 It does rather depend on the company you work for and what your job is! In my case because there is only the boss apart from me, there isn't another job i could do (except his, which I do already!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Bit of a blow to those who don't want to work though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlady54 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Is it possible that this will really work then? or can we cynically suggest that those who really don't want to work will find a way round the system or a GP too intimidated to do the right thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 One of the most common reason reasons nowadays for sickness, is work related stress - so I guess this idea will either cure or kill the patient! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 It's a better approach than the existing blanket "not fit for any sort of work" sign-off. Concentrating on what a person CAN do rather than what they CAN'T has got to be a good thing - both in the world of work, and in the area of disability benefits. If any employer can't, or won't, redeploy someone to make use of the capabilities they do still have while recovering from an illness or injury then that's their choice. They would then just have to continue paying the sick pay and getting no work done in return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted May 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Is it possible that this will really work then? or can we cynically suggest that those who really don't want to work will find a way round the system or a GP too intimidated to do the right thing? The doctor on TV did say that it was working well - it's not meant for the shirkers but people who want to go back but under the old system wouldn't be able to. I think it can be good as it enables people to get back earlier and contribute to the work place which benefits both parties. It will only work where there is a will on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Wonder how that would affect my brother then. He drives a minibus for the other brother doing the school runs. yesterday he received an injury to his right arm due to some herbert reversing into the bus he was parked up in. anyhow he cannot drive as his arm is too sore (torn muscles in elbow wrist and shoulder). he cannot do any other work s it involves moving people in wheelchairs and fastening them in the bus. So in his case there is no work that he could do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inky pete Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Simply put, in that situation it wouldn't make much difference at all. If your brother worked for a larger organisation, however, there would very likely be something useful he could do in the office, in the yard, or maybe even the employer could take the opportunity to send him on that course they've been putting off because they couldn't spare him from his driving duties. There's no point having people sitting at home on sick pay or on benefits just because they can't currently perform their full duties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Where I work, if you miss 3 days consecutively you have to have a note to come back to work - oh and if you don't, you cannot get your paid time off that you may have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 The silly thing over here, is that you can fill in a Self Certified Sick note "without" a Doctor seeing you that covers 6 days? I think. A lot used to take this as additional holidays. Where I worked, you were actively encouraged to go back to work on light duties. It helped with the stats and maybe insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted May 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 Is it possible that this will really work then? or can we cynically suggest that those who really don't want to work will find a way round the system or a GP too intimidated to do the right thing? The fit for work is designed to help those who want to get back to work do so with different or lighter duties until they are back up to fitness. Those that are ill with things like flu and need to stay in bed can simply self certify for 3 days. Those that try and manipulate the system and intimidate doctors will carry on doing so - their absence will be on their record. It is then surely up to employers to manage people back into or out of work for the benefit of the employees and the company alike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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