New ‘Fit for Work’ service could help to get sick staff back to work, says NHBF

Hairdressers, beauty salons and barber shops are being urged to make full use of the government’s new Fit for Work absence management service.

The new service is specifically aimed at small and medium-sized businesses and offers two levels of support: a free workplace health advice line and website, and the option of a free return-to-work workplace health assessment for any employee who has been off sick for four weeks or longer.

However, employers need to be aware Fit for Work is voluntary, and so employees who are off sick can only be referred into it with their consent.

An employee who agrees to be referred to the service is put in touch with an occupational or workplace health professional, who develops a return-to-work plan, which is shared with the employer and the employee’s GP.

This could be adjustments to their working environment (such as reduced hours or lighter duties) to get the employee back to work or access to a specific treatment, such as physiotherapy or counselling. The government has also put in place a £500 tax break on the cost of any treatments or interventions that have to be paid for by the employer as a result.

Although it is expected the vast majority of referrals will be made by GPs, the service does allow employers to refer an employee in, if this has not already happened after the employee has been off work for four weeks. But, again, this has to be voluntary process.

A number of roadshows are being held around the country to explain to employers, employees and GPs how the new service works.

NHBF president Paul Curry said:

Small businesses in particular can struggle to cope if an employee is off sick long-term. It’s not just the direct cost of sick pay that can be an issue, it’s the difficulty of covering for someone who is absent and the disruption and extra workload this can cause.

“Salons are also often close-knit teams, and salon owners genuinely want to do the best for their staff. That’s why Fit for Work can potentially offer real benefits for salon owners.”

More information on the Fit for Work Service, including a guide to how to make a referral, can be found at http://fitforwork.org

The helpline can be accessed at 0800 032 6235 and it is also possible to chat online to specialist advisers.

The roadshows are being run across England and Wales in association with the conciliation service Acas.
Events are due to take place in Birmingham, Cardiff, Wrexham, Swansea, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle, Newmarket and London. Click for more information.