Statement of Fitness for Work – Fit note
The fit note helps people who are off sick return to work as quickly as possible.
The Department for Work and Pensions introduced the Statement of Fitness for Work (the fit note) on 6 April 2010, replacing the previous Medical Statement (the sick note).
Guidance is available for:
- Employees and patients (Directgov)
- Employers (Business Link)
- Healthcare professionals
The Government believes that it is important to support people with health conditions to return to appropriate work as soon as possible. There is strong evidence that long periods out of work are associated with poor mental and physical health, increased use of health services and poverty. The longer someone is off work, the lower their chances of getting back to work. Work has also been shown to have therapeutic value and is generally good for physical and mental health and well-being.
The previous format of the sick note did not help doctors to provide information about fitness for work to patients and their employers. Changing the form will enable doctors to provide more useful advice to their patients about the effects of their health condition and how they might be able to return to work while they recover.
The Statement of Fitness for Work was developed in partnership with employer, medical and employee representative groups based on the consultation Reforming the Medical Statement.
- Reforming the Medical Statement (242KB)
Key changes
New option – "may be fit for work" – Doctors can select that the patient is either "not fit for work" or "may be fit for work".
Fewer forms – Doctors and employers deal with less paperwork.
Extra information – Doctors can record details of the functional effects of their patient's condition – so individuals and employers can consider simple changes to the work environment or job role or other steps to help the employee return to work earlier.
These changes should:
- help employers to reduce sickness absence and retain staff and their skills – critical to business success
- change attitudes about how work can help recovery from sickness.