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This highlights key points to support discussions between the employer and employee following the employee being issued with a fit note. For further information and support refer to guidance for employers and line managers, or type in www.gov.uk/fit-note.

• Check if your employee ‘may be fit for work,â€� discuss their fit note with them and see if you can agree any changes, including workplace modifications or reasonable adjustment to support them to stay in, or return to, work.

• You can make referrals to support your employee to stay in, or return to, work. For further information see Return to employment advice or search on www.gov.uk.

• The fit note should cover the duration that the employee is likely to require adaptation or unable to work. A review date may be set by the healthcare professional. Check how long your employee’s fit note applies for.

• If your employee has been assessed as ‘not fit for workâ€� or you are unable to make the suggested workplace modifications, you can use the fit note as evidence for Statutory Sick Pay or your organisation’s sick pay procedures (if applicable).

• If you need to request your employee’s medical records, then you must ensure you have obtained your employee’s permission.

• Maintain regular contact with your employee throughout the period and get a sense of if/when the employee feels ready to review any workplace modifications or return to work. ACAS provides advice on .

• Consider taking a copy of the fit note for your records (your employee should keep the original) this can be either a paper copy or digital version.

• The name of the issuer, the profession and the address of the medical practice should be completed to make it a valid form. If you receive an old template (Med3 2017) then the fit note must be signed in ink by the healthcare professional.