Fit notes not sick notes
September 28th 17:03 Health and Safety
With the introduction of the new Statement of Fitness to Work, or ‘Fit Note’ as we will all come to know it, how will this affect your business? The new Fit Note comes into force after the first 7 days of sickness, and is there for the GP to provide the employer with information on how to help the employee back to work. The GP can suggest ways in which an employee can return to work by a phased return, altered hours, amended duties or possibly workplace adaptations.
But wouldn’t it be better to not have people off in the first place? Some illnesses can’t be helped, or avoided, but a high percentage of them can.
Are your staff working excessive hours over and beyond their contracted ones?
Have your staff taken a pay cut due to the economic climate, to help the company?
Do they now have more than one job to make up the difference in their income?
Are they carrying out the role of more than one person, because as a company, you can’t afford to recruit?
Norwich Union Healthcare polled 200 GPs, 200 business leaders and 1,000 employees for its Health of the Workplace survey. Half the workers admitted to being stressed, while one in five reported suffering depression.
The study found workers are putting increasing amounts of time and effort into their jobs. About half are going into work when they are ill and working longer hours, while just over a third are not taking lunch breaks. A third (33 per cent) of the employees questioned said they were offering to take on more responsibility. When the workers were asked about their illness, half said they were suffering from insomnia while a third said they were having migraines and over a fifth (21 per cent) had anxiety attacks and palpitations.
All of these things are becoming more commonplace at the moment, but you can help to keep morale up by supporting these staff and letting them know that they are appreciated.
Research shows the business benefits for employers who take a proactive approach to the prevention of illness and promotion of health and wellbeing in their work places. These benefits range from higher employee engagement, reduced absence and attrition rates, higher productivity, better retention and recruitment, as well as reputational benefits for the company and enhanced brand image.
Four key areas that will aid the promotion of employee health and wellbeing are:
Sometimes a genuine “Thank You” spoken to people will go a long way and is seen as more sincere than a blanket email posted out. Depending on the size of your company, this might not always be possible, but eye contact goes a long way, and they will know that the sentiment is meant. Most staff will put up with a lot if they feel appreciated, and will climb heaven and earth to help their employer.
Corrinne
