Analysis by leading specialist employment law firm GQ Littler, of NHS data for the year ending September 2022, showed an 11% increase in the number of fit notes issued by medical professionals.

Healthcare professionals issue fit notes - also known as medical statements or a doctor’s note - to employees once they have been off work for seven consecutive days. Prior to this they can self-certify their absence from the workplace.

A fit note gives a medical assessment as to a person’s fitness to work - or not - and advises whether a person is “not fit for work” or “may be fit for work taking into account the following advice”. If the latter option is given, the healthcare professional may suggest some of the following options for the patient and their employer to consider for helping them return to work:

• Returning to work gradually, for example starting part time
• Temporarily working different hours
• Performing different duties
• Having other support

Until recently, fit notes could only be issued by GPs but in July 2022, legislation was changed to also allow nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists to certify fit notes - this was designed to alleviate pressure on GPs.

The research by GQ Littler showed that the issuance of fit notes hit a record high of 10.4 million in 2021/2022 and they have put this down to a number of reasons:

• During the pandemic fit notes became difficult to obtain and employers were therefore more lenient in their requirement for them
• The economic climate and repercussions of the pandemic has led to more mental health related absences
• There has been an increase in illnesses as restrictions eased and people mixed more
• Employers required employees to attend the workplace again once COVID restrictions ended

Sophie Vanhegan - Partner at GQ Littler said:

“Employers are now back to following their policies of requiring fit notes for longer periods of absence.”

“The cost-of-living crisis and challenging economic climate is also having an effect on the mental health of employees, which could lead to an even further rise in the number of fit notes issued for mental health related absences.”

She therefore suggested:

“It’s essential that companies take a proactive approach to supporting employee health and mental wellbeing at work to try to minimise employee sickness absence. Offering workplace support and encouraging open dialogue about health issues can help to flag issues early on, before they develop into long-term absence issues.”