Fit notes aim to keep people in work

Having a fit and healthy workforce is essential to the wellbeing of all businesses to help them meet their goals and objectives.

In 2009, a government study found that sickness absence was costing the UK economy as much as £100 billion a year and this was having a major impact on business. This led to the introduction of a new system, now up and running, which changes how workplace sickness is managed in the UK.

From April 6 this year, GPs have been given more flexibility in the way they can deal with patients asking if they are fit to work.

Workers who are off ill for longer than seven days may now visit their GP and request a 'fit note' instead of a sick note.
Doctors can still say if someone is not fit to work, but will also be able to spell out aspects of jobs that workers can still perform, and advise of options including a phased return to work, flexible working, changed duties, or adaptations at work.

The reasoning behind these 'fit notes' is that keeping people in work can help their physical and mental wellbeing. For many employees, work means a lot more than just their salary. Studies show that work is good for health and prolonged sickness absence can produce its own spiralling problems, such as isolation, loss of confidence, mental health issues, de-skilling and social exclusion.

For the employer, sickness absence can cause immense problems within a company, such as loss of productivity, continuity and, in the worst cases, loss of business or the ability to meet deadlines.

One of the best ways for employers to address sickness issues is to provide healthcare benefits for their employees.
Access to a health plan not only encourages workers to take a more proactive approach to their own health, but also makes them feel cared for and valued, and can help to reduce levels of long-term ill health and sickness absence.

Westfield Health offers a range of corporate-paid health cash plans. All offer money back towards the cost of everyday healthcare such as dental treatment and optical care, physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment and diagnostic consultations.

Many also provide fast access to MRI, CT and PET scans, which can detect conditions early at a potentially treatable stage, including serious illnesses such as heart disease, brain disorders and cancer.

In addition, most plans include a 24-hour freephone counselling and advice line, up to six face-to-face counselling sessions and a GP telephone consultation benefit enabling employees to speak to a fully qualified UK GP at a time convenient to them.