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Fit note scheme 'will boost British economy'
Fri 19 Feb 2010
The UK economy could be boosted considerably by the introduction of the fit note scheme in April, the government has stated.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the policy will benefit the economy by about £240 million over the next ten years.
Under the new fit note initiative, doctors will no longer issue sick notes and will instead advise employers that people who have been off sick are fit for some work.
Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work, believes this is a "hugely important" development that is a "win-win" for both bosses and members of staff.
Work and pensions minister Lord McKenzie has also hailed the policy, saying it will significantly reduce the cost of dealing with staff absence.
He stated that with the right support in place, employers and doctors can work with members of staff to help them return to work more quickly.
This comes after a study by Kronos found that one in five employees have called in sick when they were not actually ill.