Issue 7, March 09 Sick nortes versus Fit notes - Keeping People Working

MARCH 2009 Issue 7

Sick notes versus Fit notes

In Wales in 2008 there has been a trial of the use of electronic "fit notes" but what does this mean and how might it help your business?

As part of the strategy to make us all more healthy and able to work the focus is moving to what someone is able to do instead of what they are not able to do. Now, in occupational health this approach has been used for a long time. What supervisors and managers want to hear is what the employee CAN do at work and not what they CAN'T do at work.

Sick notes give the minimum of information and just usually say - unfit for work - no ifs, no buts. And in defence of the GPs - who can blame them - they have no more than 10 minutes per person and it is quite likely they don't really know what the employee does at work and they do not have time to call the employer to discuss the options. The GP has to make a decision that protects the employee's health and in the absent of more information they will choose to be cautious in most cases and give a sick note for a set period of time.

Fit notes, on the other hand are

Featured Resources

WORKSCREEN

http://www.work-screen.co.uk

Work screen has been developed over several years by a team at Leeds University. It helps identify what has been termed "work instability" - where there is a "mismatch between someone's work capacity and their work demands and is an indicator of how well they are coping at work". It can help reduce sickness absence by identiying people who may need extra help and support to manage their work. There is a version for office workers and a version for manual workers. Go to the website for a demo version to try.

News Round Up:

Watch out for Laptop Shoulder! Caused by carrying or working on a laptop in an awkward position , workers are beign warned to look out for the symptoms following a study done by Crowne Plaza Hotels and their physiotherapy consultant. More than 57% of their guests reported severe pain or discomfort while travelling on business.

Unhealthy living? An NHS study has found that many people still don't know what is really meant by a healthy lifestyle, underestimating how much exercise they should be taking. Fewer than one third of men and women know the maximum daily safe intake of alcohol.

Working for Health: On the working for health website there are now details about nationwide consultation meetings on the Government's proposals in "Improving Health & Work: changing lives" and the 3 workshops about the Fit for Work Service Pilots.

Conferences:

Work, Health and Vocational Rehabilitation Conference, 17 & 18th March, University of Salford www.fhsc.salford.ac.uk/conferences

I am speaking on "Working with Employers" at this event - looking at the systems, policies and drivers that help a business keep a healthy workforce.

Are you a Health Professional? Then you may be interested in some of the new courses I will be running in 2009. please contact me via the website with "HP courses" in the title for more info.

ACPOHE Conference: I will be presenting a workshop on "Dismantling the Return to Work Wall" on FRiday 15th May 09

Vocational Rehabilitation Association Conference: I will be presenting a workshop on "The Skeleton in the Workplace" on Thursday July 2nd in Sheffield. Intriguing title isn't it!?

Missed the previous newsletters?
Go to the website, under info and find the newsletter archive. Newsletters will be stored there 1 month after issue.

Welcome

Dear {!name},

Welcome to the 7th edition of the Work Performance Programme Newsletter - "Keeping People Working".

Each month I will bring you a selection of articles or resources to help you navigate the day to day issues of return to work and dealing with common health condirions at work

Whether you are in the Company Secretary, HR, H&S, or you are a health professional there should be something of interest. Do contact me with your suggestions for things you would like to see covered in future issues.

Happy Reading!

Heather Watson MCSP
Director

Events

WORKSHOP: How to Get Your employees Back to Work Faster

NEW DATE - Wednesday 17th June 2009

Click here for more information and a booking form.

{!contact_address} Registered Compnay Number:4862708
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The content of this newsletter / website is the copyright of Heather Watson. You may forward the newsletter as long as it is kept intact. If you wish to use any of the content for any other purpose you must request writen permission from Heather Watson.
DISCLAIMER
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information provided in this newsletter / site is correct and up to date, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content and it does NOT constitute legal advice. The advice is given in good faith and is the opinion of Heather Watson based on her professional training and experience. It does not represent the views of any other organisation or third party.
If your business has ongoing issues over the employment of one of your staff which have not been resolved with remedial steps, please call us for further rehabilitation advice, and contact your employment law advice team to establish your legal position before taking further action.

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