Ritchie Welcomes Healthy New Approach To Sick Leave Changes

The 'fit note', which is completed by GPs, will have the option of suggesting that an employee is able to work, subject to temporary changes in their employment, such as reduced working hours or amended duties.

Welcoming the change, Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie said: "Evidence demonstrates that work has a positive effect on health. With the appropriate support of doctors and employers, people will be able to return to work sooner.

"The revised 'fit note' will help to achieve this by providing helpful information for people to discuss with their employer. This is also a good thing for the economy as it can help people to get back to work, rather than to continue on long-term sick absence."

According to Richie, making simple, practical adjustments to help people back to work at an earlier stage will benefit both the employer and the employee, and help prevent long-term sickness absences, ensuring that employers do not lose the expertise of their staff.