Having trouble with the new Sick Note to Fit Note?

From 6th April 2010 the sick note was no more and was replaced by the new fit note. Many people with health conditions that would normally be signed off sick, could with some basic support from their employer, work as they recover from their condition. This not only helps the individual but also can benefit the employer by reducing your sickness absence.

To help more people get the support they need to return to work the new fit note system means that the doctor can advise that your employee is either:
'unfit for work'; or 'may be fit for work'.

A doctor will only give a 'may be fit for work' statement if they think that the employees health condition may allow them to work with suitable help and support from their employer. Suitable types of support may be; a phased return to work, altered hours, amended duties or workplace adaptations

If an employee is too ill to work the doctor will advise 'unfit for work', just like the old sick note.
If it is not possible for you as an employer to provide the support for your employee to return to work, you should discuss this with them and use the statement as if the doctor had advised 'not fit for work'