Employers 'will benefit from fit notes'

17th March 2010

Firms should benefit from the upcoming introduction of fit notes, one expert has claimed, as it will reduce absenteeism.

The scheme, which is due to be launched on April 6th, could see more disabled employees get back into jobs by providing medical professionals with an option to suggest reasonable adjustments to their patients' workplaces.

Senior public policy advisor at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Ben Willmott said that while it is still "early days" for the initiative, many companies could see improvements to productivity.

"I think over time the new fit note will make a contribution to reducing absence levels," he explained. "[This] would help [staff] to return to work flexibly as part of their recovery."

However, Mr Willmott did admit more training will be required for general practitioners to be able to make such judgements.

The Department for Work and Pensions has predicted fit notes will save the British economy £240 million over the next decade.

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