Nearly all employers believe the GP fit note is ineffective with workplace sickness policies the answer, according to the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).
It said 90% of employers do not believe the GP fit note is effective, and is met with resistance by some employers. CIPP research found nearly three out of five employers (58%) did not think it would help to reduce employee absence levels.
Diana Bruce, senior policy liaison officer at the CIPP; said, "The CIPP is disappointed with these results; the fit note was intended to be used as a tool to encourage conversations between employers and employees about how an earlier return to work after sickness could be facilitated.
"The fit note was intended to be used to show that employees do not need to be 100% fit for both parties to benefit from a phased or adjusted return to work."
Dame Carol Black's review of the health of Britain's working age population in 2008; after which the Statement of Fitness for Work was introduced, talked about there being evidence that some employers are reluctant to contact absent staff for fear of being accused of harassment.
Bruce added: "Managing sickness absence is a challenging and often sensitive issue for employers so if the communication channels are open from the outset with clear company policies, the easier the process should be for both employers and employees.
"The answer to this issue could well lie with the need for better sickness polices to be put in place at work."
