Letter to Branches

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150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX Tel: 020 8971 7200 Fax: 020 8971 7300
General Secretary: Billy Hayes (www.billyhayes.co.uk)

No. 293/10 Ref EX1 Date: 6 April 2010

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues

"The New Fit Note" - Statement of Fitness for Work - TUC Seminar Power Point
Presentation Slides:

This LTB should be read in conjunction with:

LTB 213/10 which circulated the TUC Guidance For Union Reps and Health and Safety
Reps entitled "Preparing For The New Fit Note".
and LTB 272/10 which circulated the DWP published guidance on the 'New Fit Note' for
(a) Employees, (b) Employers, (c) GPs and Hospital Doctors.
LTBs 213/10 and 272/10 provided detailed 'Fit Note' information some important points
including; Phased return to work, reduced hours, Altered hours, Amended duties,
Workplace adaptations, Revised workplace risk assessment, Disagreement and TU
Rep/Safety Rep involvement.

The TUC 'Fit Note' seminars taking place around the country are receiving a full-house
attendance. Please find attached for your information a copy of TUC 'Fit-Note' power-
point presentation given by TUC Head of Health and Safety Hugh Robertson at the
recent SERTUC seminar and web references mentioned are listed below.

TUC 'Fit-Note' advice.

www.tuc.org.uk/extras/fitnote.pdf

Advice to General Practitioners (DWP website)

www.dwp.gov.uk/Fitnote/

Advice to Employers (Businesslink)

www.businesslink.gov.uk

Advice to Employees and patients (Directgov)

www.direct.gov.uk

Advice from ACAS

www.acas.org.uk

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR l MEMBERS
The "Fit Note" is primarily an Attendance Procedure issue which will be dealt with by the
Industrial departments (See LTB 158/2010, 259/10 and 287/10 issued by Ray Ellis for
the Postal Dept and LTB 275/10 issued by Grace Mitchell for the T&FS Dept) and IR
Reps. However, there may be an important role to play for Health and Safety
Representatives in supporting members where the doctor recommends an early return to
work or a phased return to work on a rehabilitation plan which includes changes such as
amended duties and workplace adaptations etc as above.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Fit note - Hugh

Robertson - March 2010.ppt

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR l MEMBERS
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
URGENT INFORMATION FOR l MEMBERS