From 6th April 2010 the DWP replaced the Sick Note with a statement of Fitness for Work – The Fit Note.   In contrast to a sick note the Fit Note will focus on what an employee is still able to do.

A fit note will provide the following information  to the Employer

The doctor will advise the employer whether the employee is fit for work,  not fit for work or may be fit for some work .  It will be noted whether the employee will require a phased return to work, amended hours or duties or other workplace adaptations. 

How will the Fit note affect employers?

The new fit note will place the onus on employers to help staff return to work.  Important considerations will be –

The Disability Discrimination Act
Review of sickness and attendance policies

 So, further burdens  fall on the private sector to assess the employee’s ability to work and to manage a graduated return to work programme where required.  

 An employer who has an Income Protection Scheme with vocational rehabilitation will be in a much better position to deal with the issues.   

It is a fact that the longer an employee is off work the harder it is to make a return.  Support from an  early intervention team will offer  help and advice with whatever the cause of absence.   Most importantly however ,  the employer will have recourse to  independent validation for the cause of the absence – often a real problem where there may be some doubt as to the validity of a prolonged absence or intermittent absenteeism.  

So the value of a Group Income Protection scheme cannot be understated. 

Support for the employer extends to help and guidance across a whole range of issues from intermittent absences that don’t have any real pattern or reason to help for an employee to return to work who has perhaps been absent for many years due to a complex medical condition or disability.  

It doesn’t even cost that much.

 The employer  can offset the premium as  trading expenditure and there is no P11D liability on staff.

Here is an illustrative cost for three engineers each on £50,000 per annum salary

Benefit basis: 75% of salary less LTIB
Expiry age: 65
Deferred period: 13
Payment Term: 5 Years
Employer NI contributions Employer only - contracted in
No. of lives: 3
Premium Frequency: Annual
Our unique scheme offers automatic enrolment without medical underwriting as long as the ‘at work’ requirements are met. 

Annual Premium: £2,046.00

Go to Contact Us page to request your own quotation.

We look forward to hearing from you

Benefits for Business Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Benefits for Business Ltd is entered on the FSA register (www.fsa.gov.uk/register/) under reference 304510.