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Fit note frenzy?

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

It’s not the easiest time to be a business owner, what with staff shortages, inflation, cost of living, Brexit and Ukraine.

Which makes it the natural moment for the government to make your life even harder.

From next Friday, sick notes (officially Fit Notes) can be officially signed by registered nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and pharmacists.

Gone are the days when only GPs that could sign them, making it pretty easy to work out if they were genuine.

Not only has the number of people who can sign a note gone up, but as you may have already noticed, as of April 1st this year, they’re now only digitally certified and not signed or stamped.

On one level, it makes sense – GPs are overwhelmed, and one could argue that certifying fit notes isn’t a good use of their time.

But what it has done is shift the onus onto you as an employer to make sure the documents aren’t counterfeit.

My fingers remain firmly crossed that more guidance will arrive on how we can ensure a note is genuine, but that has not been forthcoming so far.

It’s a sad state of affairs that we now have to check sick notes with the same scrutiny as we do right to work documentation, but that’s where we are.

After next Friday, if you get a sick note which is not from a GP, give us a call and we’ll help you work out whether it’s genuine, and what the criteria are to identify fakes going forward.

P.S. Oh, and we also found a website where you can get a sick note “for entertainment purposes”. We will buy one of these and see how different they are from the genuine article!

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About Carolyne

Carolyne has run a successful business since 2003, is a well-respected speaker, and author of all things HR. There are many, many business owners across the country who have had their very stressful employee issues magically disappear because they’ve teamed up with Carolyne and Gap HR.

Why Gap HR?

We exist to help you stay legal, compliant and profitable, without shelling out for an in-house HR manager. Over 180 clients benefit from the experience and expertise of the Gap HR team.

 

Call us on 01491 598 600

Email me on cw@gaphr.co.uk

 

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“We have been using Gap HR for several years now. Carolyne and her team are professional and efficient and we would not hesitate in recommending them for small businesses. It is a great relief to know we are supported by them for our HR advice and paperwork is kept up to date.”

Deb Green, Vermatech Pest Control

“I have been working with Carolyne and her team for 6 years now , when I first purchased 2Excel Logistics I found the HR scary as I wanted to do the right thing for my staff , with Gap HR on my side this all seemed easy and we have gone from 9 staff to 28 with no hassle what so ever , thank you to all at Gap HR”

Justin Wilkie, 2Excel Logistics

“So pleased to be working with Gap HR. They’ve straightened us out in no time. Their pricing is clear and they really know what they are talking about.”

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“We are a growing company but do not have facilities in house yet for HR services in house. Gap HR is our go to service for all kinds of advice about HR for our business and we have found them very reliable, communicative and efficient. Would definitely recommend them”

Helen Gordon, Kitecreative

“Carolyne and team continue to provide great support to our business, with quick and accurate responses to help with our various HR needs.”

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“Gap HR have been at our side for a number of years now and are a great help in dealing with our HR needs”

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