The new UK style Fit Note

UK Style Fit notes

It is proposed to replace the Jersey S101 sick note with a UK style Fit Note.

The UK replaced their Med3, Med5 and RM7 with Fit Notes in April 2010. This enables doctors to certify that somebody is unwell, but could work if certain work adaptations were implemented (like office work or no food handling). Currently, you’re not permitted to receive Short Term Incapacity Allowance (STIA), triggered by the sick note, and undertake any work concurrently.

After being off work for a year you are assessed for Long Term Incapacity Allowance (LTIA) which allows you to recommence work and receive the benefit. After a year of being out of the workplace, very few people are able to re-engage with work and become chronically unemployable.

Work has enormous health, psychological and social benefits, so this change is a hugely positive step that is likely to improve the health of our population and enable more people to remain economically productive.