The Fit Note replaced the old 'sick note' on 6 April and aims to provide useful information on how your employee's condition affects what they do and how they might be able to return to work. A doctor will give a 'may be fit for work' statement if they think that your employee's health condition may allow them to work – as long as you give them the appropriate support.

What is “appropriate support”? A doctor will be able to suggest ways of helping an employee get back to work. This might mean discussing: a phased return to work – for example, starting one day a week altered hours – a limited number of hours a day as the employee regains energy levels amended duties – for example avoiding lifting or customer-facing duties workplace adaptations – technology or equipment or the creation of a support network at work. The doctor will also provide general details of the functional effect of the individual's condition, for example “not able to lift above shoulder height”.

Not all absence from sickness is genuine - if you have a suspicion, then you should call us in to investigate. Any assignment undertaken is handled discreetly; this may involve discreet surveillance, background research or a combination of different skills, for example in computer interrogation and analysis. Evidence may be collated in a manner that is presentable in Court or Employment Tribunal.