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Fit note rules
ktothema
Posts: 494 Forumite
I'm totally confused now re fit notes and whether they have to be upheld etc.
A friend has a permanent contract that allows her to work from two locations. One requires a long public transport commute and the other is a closer drive away. So they work 3 days in office 1 (long commute) and 2 days in office 2. Friend is suffering with hip problems her GP and physio believes is being exasperated by the long commute, and has issued a fit note that states friend needs to do the commute less. Something to do with seat quality.
The company has suggested (rather than swap a day at office 1 for office 2) that she swaps some of this commute with a drive and less public transport time. It's feasible but expensive. Friend says to me she may consider trying this if they pick up additional cost.
I this ok legally - fit note wise not money demand wise? What would happen if this didn't help - Would a new fit note need to be issued?
A friend has a permanent contract that allows her to work from two locations. One requires a long public transport commute and the other is a closer drive away. So they work 3 days in office 1 (long commute) and 2 days in office 2. Friend is suffering with hip problems her GP and physio believes is being exasperated by the long commute, and has issued a fit note that states friend needs to do the commute less. Something to do with seat quality.
The company has suggested (rather than swap a day at office 1 for office 2) that she swaps some of this commute with a drive and less public transport time. It's feasible but expensive. Friend says to me she may consider trying this if they pick up additional cost.
I this ok legally - fit note wise not money demand wise? What would happen if this didn't help - Would a new fit note need to be issued?
Data protection is there for you, not for companies to hide behind
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Comments
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Quite legal, the employer does not have to comply with the recommendations the GP makes. If the employee is disabled they do need to make reasonable adjustments, but it looks like they have found a solution without making any. There is no obligation on them to subsidise her travelling costs either, although she may be able to get help with this through Access to Work.
If changing her method of travel does not help she would be best advised to ask for a referral to Occupational Health, see what they can suggest.0 -
pickpocketlocket wrote: »Quite legal, the employer does not have to comply with the recommendations the GP makes.
True, but if they can't (or won't) then they must treat the person as signed off sick at least for SSP purposes.0 -
True, but if they can't (or won't) then they must treat the person as signed off sick at least for SSP purposes.
That's how I understood it. My friend is happy to meet in the middle but is concerned if it doesn't work the fit note is nullified and she'd have been better off healthwise having been signed off.Data protection is there for you, not for companies to hide behind0
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