New sick policy 'has no benefit'

Posted on 3 December 2008

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'Fit to work notes' will allow less flexibility than the current absenteeism policies held by scrupulous employers, it has been suggested.

According to Hugh Robertson, head of health and safety for the Trades Union Congress, the government's new proposals will not encourage people to return to work as soon as they feel comfortable and able.

He added: "Good employers have already got sickness absence policies that allow for that and see it as an industrial relations matter for discussions between the employer and the worker."

Research conducted by the Department for Work and Pensions in November indicated that the cost to the British economy of working age ill-health amounts to more than £100 billion per year.

The study indicated that 34 million working days were lost during 2007-08, equivalent to 2.6 per cent of overall working time.

Some 5.9 million people currently in employment in the UK claim to have a long-standing medical condition.

Category: Tax & Legislation News

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