Fit for Work service launches

The Fit For Work (FFW) service will be introduced on a phased basis and is due to be completed by May 2015. The service provides: free health and work advice through its website and telephone advice line to help with absence prevention; free referral for an occupational health assessment for employees who have reached, or whose GP expects them to reach, four weeks of sickness absence.

FFW can be contacted online through its website, or by telephone, as many times as required. It can give employers advice about work-related health matters (when an employee's health condition is affecting them at work) or when an employee is off sick from work. The advice can help identify adjustments that could help an employee remain in, or return to, work. Employees will normally be referred to FFW for an occupational health assessment by their GP, but employers can also make a referral. It is suggested that a referral to FFW is the "default" position. However, it is not mandatory since it is dependent both on the employee's consent and on the referring GP, or employer, considering that there is a reasonable likelihood of the employee making at least a phased return to work. The trigger point for referral is four weeks' absence. This includes absence self-certified by the employee. There is no limit on the number of eligible employees that can be referred to FFW by an employer, but an employee can only be referred for one assessment in any 12-month period. For more information contact Laura Kurowski at our Huddersfield office on 01484 483 800 or Jon Dyson at our Halifax office on 01422 339 600.

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