Making Return-to-Work Easier for Both Employers and Employees
Managing an employees return to work after a period of absence can be challenging. It often requires communication between employer, employee and medical experts. The good news is that the Government has recognised some of the problems employers face and is looking to improve the part played by General Practioners (GPs). The main aim of the Governments work - through the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Welfare Reform Bill is to achieve an 80% employment rate for people of a working age and to work towards an inclusive society with opportunities for all.
Two initiatives stand out: One of the sections of the Welfare Reform Bill highlights the current lack of communication between employers and GPs. The DWP would like to see stronger links created between healthcare providers and employers to improve information flow. It would also like to see GPs thinking beyond the limitations imposed on the patient by their disease or illness and looking forward to rehabilitation including return to work. It will take some time before employers see the benefits of these changes but it is a step in the right direction.
In the short term, the doctor's form FMed 3, which is used to sign patients off from work, is being reviewed. The current form is used to explain an employee's absence from work and provides a timescale by which the doctor believes that their patient may be fit to return to work. The purpose of revising the form is to provide more information to the employer in terms of a more specific diagnosis, some details of treatment and the extent of any adjustments required at work for their return. Obviously in some cases this extent of information isn't required, but in any case it should help to aid the employee's return to work. If the employee has been suffering from a more long term or serious disease then the form should be able to provide enough information for the employer to be able to prepare for the employee's return to work.
An easier to use FMed 3 form should allow GPs to be able to provide detailed information to employers about a patient's return to work and will allow progress to be monitored. However, there is some concern among GPs as to the additional time that it will take for them to complete the forms and keep employers informed. Nonetheless, the DWP is keen that processes are put in place to aid absence management of the work force. This can only be helpful for employers, as absence management can be a time consuming task, and any help, particularly advice from the patient's GP, should be welcomed.
HR Advantage provides advice and guidance on all aspects of absence management and specific case by case management services. In adddition our online database, PeopleLog, contains powerful absence recording and reporting tools. For more information about how we can help you manage absence, contact Lisa on 01494 451681.
March/April 2007
