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Employers 'lack awareness of fit notes'
Mon 15 Mar 2010
More than two-thirds of employers have little or no knowledge about the forthcoming fit note scheme, a new survey has found.
Research by Aviva UK Health found that awareness of the upcoming policy, which comes into place in April 2010, is limited among 68 per cent of bosses.
Dr Hugh Laing, chief medical officer at the group, said the government's efforts to reduce absence rates at work are "commendable".
However, he stated that he is concerned by this lack of awareness of fit notes among employers.
Dr Laing said the right training and support must be put in place, as the long-term benefits of the fit note scheme will not be seen otherwise.
The lack of awareness has led to limited confidence in the policy among bosses, as just five per cent believe it will reduce absence rates.
According to Lord McKenzie of the Department for Work and Pensions, the fit note should help businesses to cut the cost of dealing with employee absence and enable staff to return to work more quickly.
David von Hagen, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, said: "The fit note scheme has been given a surprisingly low profile.
"We will just have to wait and see whether it will revolutionise absenteeism in the way the government believes."
