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Chapter 9
97 National Trainers Federation April 2014
STATEMENT OF FITNESS FOR WORK (DOCTOR’S NOTES),
SICK PAY AND STATUTORY SICK PAY
Section 1 : Statement of Fitness for Work
The Health and Work Service
Section 2 : Sick Pay
Section 3 : Statutory Sick Pay
9.1
Statement of Fitness for Work
A doctor can advise an employee that they:
are unfit for work or
may be fit for work
“May be fit for work” will mean that the doctor thinks that the patient’s health condition may
allow them to work if they get suitable support from their employer.
The Government’s advice on this can be accessed at www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote
Not fit for work
This means that the doctor has assessed that the employee is not fit to work – this is the same
as the old sick note.
May be fit for work taking account of the following advice
The doctor has assessed that the employee’s condition does not necessarily stop them from
returning to work – for instance that they can return to work but may not be able to complete
all their normal duties or may need an adjustment such as amended working hours.
The doctor may suggest the following as a way of helping the employee get back to work:
a phased return, being a gradual increase in the intensity of work or their working
hours
altered hours, perhaps being reduced hours or a changed start time
amended duties, for example, removing heavy lifting for someone with a back problem
and/or
workplace adaptations, for example, moving someone to work on the ground floor
when they normally have to go up steps
Where an employer does not understand or is unsure as to how to act upon recommendations
from a doctor on the Statement then the employer should discuss it with the employee as the
employee may have more information. The employer could also seek advice from the
employee’s GP or may decide to seek advice from an occupational health specialist. The NTF
can put trainers in contact with an occupational health specialist.