The new fit note legislation comes in to force on 6th April 2010, replacing the current 'sick note'.  The fit note will ask doctors to tick one of two options regarding a person's health, 'fit for work, taking into account the following advice', or 'unfit for work'.

Just weeks before the new legislation is due to come in to force, many employers have either little or no knowledge of the new fit note that aims to increase the number of employees getting back in to work following a period of sickness absence.

More than two-thirds of employers are unaware of the changes the fit note will have with regards to getting people back in to the workplace.  Furthermore, those employers who are aware of the new fit note, are sceptical of the initiative, and a survey of 500 employers found that only 5% of employers thought fit notes would reduce absence rates.

Nevertheless, many organisations feel that any initiative the government puts in place to assist in decreasing absence levels is commendable, and with the right support and training, the long term benefits of this move will be gained.