Bridgnorth Medical Practice
THE NEW ‘FIT NOTE’ (PARTIAL SICK NOTE)
What is a ‘fit note’ and what is all this about being partially fit for work ?
The new ‘fit note’ allows a doctor to recommend that you might be fit for certain aspects of your job. He/she is able to advise that you can return to work under any of the following arrangements :
- Altered hours
- Amended duties
- Workplace adaptations
- A phased return to work
Your doctor may state how long the recommended period of partial working should last.
He/she may also add clarifying remarks or other recommendations to help your employer understand what support you may need initially, or may recommend that your employer arrange a more detailed assessment by an Occupational Health Specialist.
However, the doctor is unlikely to be familiar with the details of your job and therefore the remarks are likely to be of a general nature. It is for you and your employer to discuss the recommendations and to determine whether, on this basis, some working arrangement can be agreed.
The doctor’s note is only a recommendation. If your employer is not able to offer such an arrangement, he/she is not under any obligation to do so.
The doctor issued a ‘fit note’ recommending a partial return to work, but my employer cannot offer this and has asked for a full ‘sick note’.
This is not necessary. If a doctor issues a fit note with a recommendation to consider a partial working arrangement, but the employer is not able to offer this, then you should be considered as unfit for work. According to guidance issued by the Dept. of Work & Pensions, there is no need for a further note to be issued in this situation. The original note is treated as if the doctor has stated “You are not fit for work”.
Please direct your employer to the DWP web site at : http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote .
How can the doctor know enough about my job to make this kind of recommendation ?
This can indeed be difficult. You can help by explaining the nature of your job to the GP.
The doctor can, if he/she wishes, recommend on the fit note that a specialist opinion be sought from an Occupational Physician. This is at the discretion of the employer. Larger employers often have such a service available for their employees.