Fit for work scheme did not take off
In September 2015, the government introduced the ‘Fit for Work’ scheme in a bid assist employers with sickness absence. The scheme sought to provide free advice and support to employers to facilitate a speedy return to work to those employees absent through sickness for four or more weeks.
Unfortunately, the scheme did not quite take off as it should have done and the government have announced that the service will end in England and Wales on 31 March 2018 and in Scotland on 31 May 2018, and no new referrals would be accepted from that point. Having said that the scheme will continue to operate helplines to employers, employees and general practitioners(GPs).
The government now intends to focus its attentions on getting disabled people and those with long term health conditions back into work. A White Paper was issued on 30 November 2017 by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Secretary of State for Health setting out the government’s plan over the next 10 years.
So, why didn’t it work? People Management reported that, 65% of more than 400 GPs questioned did not make a single referral and of those that did use the scheme 40% said not one person referred had successfully returned to work. Another issue was publicising of the scheme. According to a survey carried out by Jelf in December 2015 found that ‘(68%) employers said they had not received any official communications about it’.
According to the White Paper the government is also considering reforms to statutory sick pay to provide greater support and flexibility for phased returns to work.
Sickness absence will always be an issue for employers and it is extremely important that each situation is handled on a case by case basis because of the provision of the Equality Act 2010. We urge our clients and indeed all employers to seek professional HR advice when faced with a sickness absence issue, whether it be long term or intermittent. Qdos is always on hand to support clients and for those who are not clients please contact us as we can still provide the support needed.
