News: Rotherham companies discover how to be fit for business

Rotherham businesses came together to find out about important new changes to employee sickness absence rules introduced by the government.

50 local companies attended an event last month as ACAS representative, Darrell Johnson, GP practitioner, Dr Mark Boon and Occupational Health practitioner, Sandra Winters talked to delegates about the new "fit note" and what this meant to employers and employees.

In April 2010 the Statement of Fitness for Work ("fit note") replaced the Sick Note. Absence costs the UK economy £17.3bn per year and almost four in 10 employers say that the recession has increased their organisation's focus on reducing absence levels and costs. The Fit Note helps employers to address this issue and removes some of the challenges of returning to work.

Anna Patterson, of Rotherham based business Tradebe attended the event and, said: "It has been useful to hear different perspectives and I will be revisiting our absence policy and looking at our systems to make sure we comply."

The event was organised by Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), NHS Rotherham and the BeingBetter Project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

Sarah Wilkinson, HR Business Consultant from RiDO added: "The event was really successful and we have got some good feedback from the companies who came along. It has been a great opportunity to work together with our partners in the Rotherham area, and to help local businesses to learn more about these important new rules."

Rotherham Investment and Development Office
BeingBetter website
NHS Rotherham website

Images: beingbetter.co.uk