Everyone knows that it’s difficult to get to speak to a Doctor let alone see one if you are off work due to illness for more than 7 days.
For the first 7 days you can ‘self-certify’ meaning that you do not need to see a Doctor or get a fit note and can fill in a form confirming that you were sick for that period.
Since 1st July, the rules on who can provide sick notes has changed in an attempt to ease the pressure on GP surgeries. So from 1st July, the following can now give a sick note:
· GP or hospital doctor
· registered nurse
· occupational therapist
· pharmacist
· physiotherapist
This is a major step, particularly as there has been a drive for people to see their pharmacist before attending a GP surgery.
Managing sickness is a time-consuming for a business owner and it has to be done correctly as potentially a staff member can be considered as disabled, so you have to get the process right.
If you have an ongoing sickness issue with a member of your team and you are worried about getting it wrong and want to support your employee, then we can help with everything from the initial return to work meetings and guidance, right through to obtaining Occupational Health referrals for staff who are on long term sickness.
Get in touch with us today for a no obligation, free chat.
