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Employers beware: Fake fit notes available online
Added: 2010-06-10 16:48:43.0News that an employee can purchase a fake fit note online for as little as £10 will set alarm bells ringing for employers who may still be coming to grips with the new system. The website selling the dodgy forms is known to have provided the old-style sick notes in the past and claims that the new forms are ‘authentic looking replicas’ of the real thing; http://www.doctorsnotestore.com/index.html.
As Cleardocs widely reported, doctor’s ‘fit notes’ replaced the traditional ‘sick notes’ in April. News that an employee could get a genuine-looking fake one at such a low-cost will be distressing to business owners as during this early adoption stage, they could be used to successfully fool employers.
The website in question also offers 48 hour delivery and only requires employees to submit the most basic of information; name, address, what they are suffering from and when it started. For £10, they can also have this stamped by ‘doctors’ from ‘medical centres’ in any UK city.
It has only been two months since the fit note system was introduced and many employers may still be adjusting to the new system, that is, if they have even had to deal with a situation requiring a fit note yet. This makes employers even more susceptible for being duped by the fake letters.
If an employer is suspicious about a fit form that they have been handed, tips for better scrutiny include:
- having the fit note checked by an occupational health advisor or a doctor; or
- calling the medical centre that is said to have issued the fit note and checking that it was indeed signed by the doctor named.
Employers may also wish to consider warning their employees of potential disciplinary action following any use of improper fit notes.
This news comes days after new figures revealing that employee absence in that past year was the lowest since records began in 1987; with employees taking 180 million sick days in the past year, an average of 6.4 days for each employee. Whilst the cost of this economy is estimated at £2.5 billion, employers will be encouraged to see sickness rates fall in an economic climate where businesses need their staff.
Still unsure about fit notes? Listen to our free webinar recording where Charles Pallot, Head of Employment Law at Ashfords Solicitors LLP discusses fit notes and what they mean for businesses.
How does the above make you feel as an employer? Will it make you more cautious when it comes to fit notes in the future? Or do you trust your employees not to go down this potentially damaging route? Let us know by commenting below.
The content of this blog is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such, or used instead of seeking legal advice.
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