The proposed ‘fit notes’, in place of the traditional ’sick notes’, have been received by the TUC with some amount of scepticism. The new ‘fit note’ is meant for ensuring that people get suggestions on staying in work despite being sick, and if that is difficult to achieve then advising employers on what they can do to bring the employees back to work sooner.
The new notes intend to make use of methods like allowing workers with mobility impairment to sit and work, instead of having to do their usual tasks. However, TUC has expressed concern that this could mean that the workers are forced to return to work even without having completely recovered from their illness, and thus they stand the risk of a relapse.
The word of caution was communicated by TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber. He admitted that it is necessary to get the workers back to work as soon as possible, but a better way of doing this was to use a phased and supported approach, as the fact that they can be vulnerable to relapse in that stage can’t be ignored.
Barber said that there is also a risk that the employer might not have the best support system to prevent the health of the employee from getting worse. It is more important to provide the workers access to proper health care, especially in an occupational setting, instead of forcing them to return to work. The workers might otherwise perceive the whole system as a dialogue between the doctor and employer and may end up feeling victimised.
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