Sickness absence: new model letters on fit notes
New model sickness absence documents added to HR & Compliance Centre include letters to an employee who has been off sick for longer than seven days but failed to submit a doctor's statement of fitness for work.
- Letter to an employee who has not submitted a fit note for a period of sickness absence over seven days Use this model letter to provide a reminder that an employee has had a period of sickness absence of more than seven days but has failed to submit a doctor's statement of fitness for work.
- Letter reminding an employee of the consequences of not submitting a fit note for a period of sickness absence over seven days Use this model letter to notify an employee who has failed to respond to a previous request to provide a doctor’s statement of fitness for work for a period of sickness absence lasting more than seven days of the consequences of not doing so.
- Letter informing an employee that a period of sickness absence for which the employee has not submitted a fit note is to be treated as unauthorised absence Use this model letter to notify an employee who has failed to respond to previous requests to provide a doctor's statement of fitness for work for a period of sickness absence lasting more than seven days that the matter is now to be treated as unauthorised absence leading to disciplinary action.
- Letter informing an employee who has a fit note saying that he or she can return to light duties that there is no light work to do Use this model letter when an employee who is off sick has provided a statement of fitness for work in which the doctor has advised that he or she is fit enough to return to work on light duties, but there are no jobs involving light duties available.
Also
What steps should an employer take where an employee is off sick for over a week but has not submitted a doctor's certificate? The HR & Compliance Centre FAQs section answers this frequently asked question.
Are fit notes fit for purpose? The latest HR & Compliance Centre research canvases employer opinion on how the fit note system is working in practice, and whether or not it is living up to its promise of encouraging, where feasible, an earlier return to work.
Has the fit note helped employers to manage sickness absence? The latest HR & Compliance Centre research finds that although the fit note is bedding in well so far, it also presents challenges for employers.
Statement of fitness for work This is a sample version of the statement of fitness for work (or "fit note") that a doctor can give to an employee as evidence of whether or not he or she is able to go to work.