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June, 2010
Picasso HR events and workshops this month…
Workshop...
Exhibition...
A sneak preview to next months events…
Beware – it has been reported that “Fake fit notes are for sale”…
these are being advertised as NHS Style and despite the advertisement making reference to these being “For novelty use only” the same page goes on to state that delivery can be guaranteed of an authentic looking replica within 48 hours…written on official paper, with a real stamp.
Government Coalition document: Key implications to consider…
As reported towards the end of May, the government has published its full coalition document which outlines the key policy areas as agreed between the parties.
Workshop...Each month we deliver training workshops to a range of audiences from bite-size employment law to personal communication skills. Our delivery is informal and engaging but extremely effective to help managers develop their confidence and ability to handle various situations. On the 22nd June, our training and workshop session is addressing the area of “Sickness Absence” and in particular, how to manage these situations in the workplace. As we all know, sickness absence can be costly for companies and statistics during 2009 reported: “…around 15% of the absences were not genuine, which would mean that “sickies” cost the economy £2.5 billion on their own” (CBI) “The CIPD’s last annual Absence Survey…showed an average of 7.4 days absence and a hefty 9.7 per cent in the public sector, compared to 6.4 days in private-sector services” (CIPD, 2009) Our session aims to help those responsible for managing long term or intermittent sickness absence, to understand the legal implications and considerations, recommendations on how to manage real life situations together with advising on best practice guidance on the possible termination of employment associated with sickness. The Workshop is offered at a highly competitive rate of only £65 per person with limited spaces still available. To book, please go to: https://www.picassohr-online.com/purchase/. A sneak preview to next months events…Next month (July) we have two workshops and training sessions addressing “Techniques for powerful communication skills” (to be held on the 01st July) and “Time/Self Management” (20th July). For a brief insight to the session contents, please see the below: 1) Techniques for Powerful Communication Skills (01st July) Effective business relies on effective communications, including establishing rapport, active listening, questioning techniques, body language etc. This session will help you learn how to be more effective communicators which will benefit all of your relationships, whether in business or otherwise. 2) Time/Self Management (20th July) This helps anyone to manage yourself and your use of time, to set personal goals and objectives, to introduce the urgent/important matrix, mastering meetings, and much more. These sessions aim to help any attendee’s develop in the above areas and are relevant skills and abilities to possess in an ever increasing business market.
The Workshops are offered at a highly competitive rate of only £65 per person with limited spaces available. To book, please go to: https://www.picassohr-online.com/purchase/
As we all know, from the 06th April, new statements of fitness to work, referred to as “fit notes” replaced the traditional “sick notes” issued by doctors across the UK. These were introduced as a government objective to reduce the number of work days lost through sickness. Within the new style fit note, GP’s have the option of declaring a patient either “fit for some work” or “not fit for work”. In circumstances where a worker is deemed fit, the doctor then has further options to be able to make recommendations of various courses of action for the employer to consider which include: - a phased return to work
- amended duties
- altered hours
- and/or workplace adaptations
The doctor will also be able to enter information in the comments box where another decision may be deemed more appropriate.
The Department of Work and Pensions has claimed that fit notes will cut the cost of sick leave for British employers and benefit the UK economy by an estimated £240 million over the next 10 years. However, within a recent publication, it has been reported that “Fake fit notes are for sale” where these are being advertised as NHS Style and despite the advertisement making reference to these being “For novelty use only” the same page goes on to state that delivery can be guaranteed of an authentic looking replica within 48 hours…written on official paper, with a real stamp. This is quite concerning to read and employers should be aware of this, particularly any who pay a form of company sick pay where an employee is deemed “unfit to work”. It would be advisable for employers to ensure that within your sickness absence policy, this makes reference to the right to an independent examination by a doctor or health advisor and likewise, if a note does give cause for suspicion or concern, to carefully examine the note and perhaps recommend any independent referrals and exercise this right. There are measures in place where if it is proven that an employee has submitted a fake fit note, obviously disciplinary action can be exercised, and in addition, there is an official body to report such instances to. However, be sure to receive advice before pursuing any of these options.
As reported towards the end of May, the government has published its full coalition document which outlines the key policy areas as agreed between the parties. Just briefly considering a few of the policy areas as examples, it is useful below to identify what may be the key implications for employers and areas to watch in the future… - Family-friendly (flexible working): To look at extending the right to request flexible working to all employees, consulting with businesses on how best to deliver this. This will be important to watch over the coming weeks and months ahead and will affect all businesses if implemented.
- Family-friendly (maternity leave): This will be an interesting area to monitor as one party (the Liberal Democrats) very much wished to extend maternity leave from 12 to 18 months but both parties are in agreement over other concepts such as the sharing of parental leave. Again, on the principles of family friendly, both parties are largely in agreement meaning that legislation will inevitably be introduced making amendments, however, it will be interesting to observe to see what resources and circumstances allow following various consultations.
- Agency workers: Both parties either proposed a review of the Agency Worker Regulations 2010, due to come into force on the 01 October 2011, or possibly revoking the regulations. This will be interesting to watch to see if these regulations are repealed in the future.
- Equal pay and the Equality Act: Aspects of the Equality Act 2010 are still possibly under scrutiny and it may be extremely likely that a further review of the Act before most of the provisions come into force this October will occur.
- Pensions: Both parties agreed that the default retirement age should be phased out and a review held to set a date on which the state pension age should rise to 66. However, publications so far report that this would not be sooner that 2016 for men and 2020 for women.
All in all, details on future legislation are still to be announced, yet employers can expect from the above greater flexibility on parental leave and flexible working, a review of the Equality Act 2010, and, furthermore, a possible repeal of the agency workers regulations.
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