Fit notes will detail exactly what tasks sick people can do

If your business suffers from people frequently off sick you’ll be pleased to hear of the government’s plans for “fit notes” to cut the amount of money lost to absenteeism in the workplace.

A report in March declared that people off sick was costing the economy £100 billion a year. Instead of the traditional sick note, the system has been overhauled so that GPs will make it clear to employers what tasks workers can perform, rather than the sick note focusing on what they can’t do.

Trials replacing the paper notes with electronic fit notes have begun, and the new system is expected to be in place by 2010. Government health advisor Dame Carol Black hopes the new system will encourage staff with health problems stay in work and return to work after illness as soon as possible.