Sick Notes - the legal requirements

The crisis in the NHS has been well documented and reported upon in recent months.

One area in which employers may assist in reducing the burden has been highlighted by a government study revealing that GPs deal with 2.4 million unnecessary sick note requests each year.

By law a Med3 need not be produced by an employee for a sickness absence of less than seven consecutive days (including weekends). In spite of this many employers request their employees to obtain sick notes for shorter periods.

An information website hs been launched by the Government providing advice to employers and employees on the legal requirements of sick notes. In commenting on the wasteful use of NHS resources Doctor Simon Fradd, chairman of the Doctor Patient Partnership remarked: "employers need information and advice about effective ways to manage their sickness absence and relieve pressure on GP services".

Advice can be obtained at www.managingabsence.org.uk.