General Advice
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Sick Notes
Commonly employees are asked to obtain a doctor's
sick certificate for absences of less then seven days, despite the fact
the Statutory Sick Pay regulations only require a certificate for
periods of sevens days or more absenteeism. This creates unnecessary
problems for employers, employees and for GP's.
- Problems for employers
- Once an employee has obtained a sick certificate you are then obliged to accept a period of absenteeism that could extend beyond the period of illness (It is often difficult for GP's to fully assess the extent of the illness).
- The management of recurring absenteeism could become a major problem.
- GP's are not required to issue any form of certificate other than the statutory certificate.
- GP's are entitled to make a charge for sick certification for absences of less than seven days.
- Problems for GP's
- Valuable GP appointment time can be taken up by people who do not need to see their doctor.
- There is a knock on effect for patients who do need help from their doctor.
- Time constraints mean that it is often difficult fro GP's to fully assess the extent of the illness.
- Problems for employees
- Time may be wasted unnecessarily visiting the GP for minor ailments.
- Solutions
- Inform your employees that they should self-certificate fro periods of absence of less than 7 days, in line with self-certification regulations introduced in 1982.
- If you are in doubt about your employee's absence you should seek advice from SEMA Medical Services.
- Referral to an occupational health doctor following recurring periods of illness may help to give more accurate picture of an employees health.
Remember you know your employees better than anyone else so you are in the best position to assess whether recurring absences are result of a more complex problem or some problem at work.
If you need advice on Statutory Sick
Pay, Maternity Sick Pay,
National Insurance or PAYE call the DSS phone advice for
employers on
0121 722 7000.