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On April 6 2010, the revised Medical Statement (the 'Fit Note') was
introduced in England, Scotland and Wales.
The guidance contained here was first published in 2004 and therefore makes no
reference to the Fit Note. We would ask readers of this guidance document to
consider how the introduction of the Fit Note has impacted on the good practice
contained in it.
To help readers in making this consideration, HSE suggests that they refer to the
relevant guidance on the introduction of the Fit Note:
Employers http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fitnoteemployerguide.pdf
Employees http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fitnoteemployeeguide.pdf
GPs http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fitnotegpguide.pdf
OH providers http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fitnoteoccupationalhealthguide.pdf
Off work sick and worried about your job? Steps you can take to help your return to work
1
Off work sick and worried about your job? Steps you can take to help your return to work
This leaflet contains practical advice for you if you are off work sick and
worried about losing your job, or you are afraid that going back to work now
will be bad for your health. It suggests actions you can take yourself to help
you return to work safely, as soon as possible. It also gives information about
how your employer can help you and where you can get more advice.
2
Off work sick and worried about your job? Steps you can take to help your return to work
Did you know? Talk to your employer If there are other problems
■ Starting everyday activities while you are off work stopping you from returning, talk
again, like going to work, will Keep in touch with your employer to your employer about them.
help you feel better. about your sickness. Tell them They may be able to help.
■ Any remaining pain or about any advice your doctor has
discomfort you feel can often given you, like how long you may Remember, if you do not contact
be managed with the right be off work. Ask for news from your employer, they will have to
adjustments at work. work to help you feel a part of make decisions about you without
■ Work, when well managed, is what’s going on. If you don’t want knowing your needs.
good for your health, but to speak to your manager or
staying off work can make supervisor, your trade union or
you feel worse. other employee representatives or
a workmate may be able to act as
a go-between.
3
Off work sick and worried about your job? Steps you can take to help your return to work
Talk to your doctor about Your employer can ■ adapting your job by replacing
your work help you while you are or reallocating tasks on a
Tell your doctor about your job and off work temporary or renewable basis.
ask about: Staying in touch with your employer
■ going back to work; will help you both to plan your return Make sure you understand the
■ any work tasks that need to work. Talk to them about what effect of such adjustments
adjusting on a temporary or they might be able to do to help you. on your pay.
permanent basis to allow you Actions they can take include:
to return; ■ taking advice from you, your Your employer needs to decide
■ any side effects of treatments manager or supervisor and your whether existing health and safety
or medications that could affect trade union or other employee control measures will protect your
your work. representatives; health and safety after you return
■ using this advice to put to work. If changes are needed,
If you feel happy to do so, you can together a return to work plan your employer has a duty to
ask your employer to write to your setting out any adjustments to consult your trade union safety
doctor about your job and your job or changes to health representatives or elected
adjustments needed to help you and safety control measures representatives of employee safety
return. Your doctor will not discuss before you return; about their effect on your health
your health without your consent. ■ making sure everyone involved and safety and other employees
agrees the plan. affected by the changes. Your
employer cannot discuss your
Here are some examples of personal or health details without
adjustments your employer may your consent.
be able to make:
■ starting you back on shorter Sometimes you or your employer
hours, then increasing them may need professional or
within an agreed timescale; specialist advice (see the end of
■ adapting or changing the this leaflet). If you are disabled,
equipment you use at work to you can apply to your nearest
make it safe and comfortable; Jobcentre Plus for help. A
■ starting you with a reduced Disability Employment Adviser will
workload or work at a slower see whether the Access to Work
pace and then building it up (AtW) Scheme can help you and
to normal; your employer.
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Returning to work ■ The Health and Safety at Work
■ If you have been off work for a etc Act 1974 ensures that
long time, an informal visit everyone at work is entitled to
during lunchtime or coffee the protection of their health
breaks can help you catch up. and safety, so far as is
■ Your employer or manager will reasonably practicable.
want to welcome you back and ■ The Disability Discrimination
check how you are feeling. Use Act 1995 requires employers
this opportunity to discuss your to make reasonable
return to work plan and any adjustments to accommodate
problems you have. employees who are or have
■ Help your employer or manager become disabled, as defined
to look at your progress and to by the Act. The fact that a
make any changes needed to person has a disability does
your return to work plan. not mean that they represent
an additional risk to health
and safety.
■ Employees and workers have
rights at work under
employment law.
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Off work sick and worried about your job? Steps you can take to help your return to work
information? www.hse.gov.uk
www.acas.org.uk
www.tuc.org.uk
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Health and safety
Executive
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