Sick Notes to Extend to 14 Days for a Six-Month Period
Emergency plans currently being considered by the Department of Work and Pensions propose the extension of self-certified Sick Days from seven to fourteen. The idea has been mooted to allow people with suspected cases of swine flu to extend their sick leave by a week without needing a doctor’s certification to that effect.
In addition, this move will ensure that the workload of the GPs is considerably reduced to the effect of issuing certificates and will ensure a decrease in the spread of the flu. The proposal, currently being vetted by the Civil Contingency Committee of the Government, envisages the law being in effect for a six-month period after which an extension, if needed could be granted. A sunset clause to that effect is included in the draft legislation.
A government spokesperson has commented that the rule was proposed to ensure that the people did not feel obligated to return to work even while not feeling completely well and this would help prevent spread of the infection at workplaces.
Stating that employers didn’t need to fear a drastic drop in productivity due to employees taking advantage of the rule, the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) has indicated that the change of rules was a practical and short term measure to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and arrest the epidemic.
CIPD Senior Public Policy Adviser Ben Willlmott said that employers who managed absenteeism and productivity effectively had nothing to be afraid of. He also added that most employees who report sick were usually genuine cases, with only a few exceptions
