What is Fit for Work?

Free occupational health assessments to help employees return to work after absence of four weeks or more. Access to online and telephone-based work-related health advice. All employers across England and Wales can refer employees who have been off work for four weeks or more for a free Fit for Work assessment.

Fit for Work is a Government-funded initiative.

Fit for Work is designed to support people in work with health conditions and help with sickness absence. Being in work is an important contributor to good health. The longer someone is off sick, the harder it is for them to get back to work. Research suggests that being out of work for long periods of time is damaging to social and financial wellbeing, and health.

What does Fit for Work involve?

There are two elements to Fit for Work:

• Free, expert and impartial work-related health advice via our website and telephone line.
• Referral to an occupational health professional for employees who have been, or who are likely to be, off sick for four weeks or more.

The occupational health professional will identify obstacles preventing the employee from returning to work and produce a Return to Work Plan tailored to the employee’s needs. Referrals can be made by GPs, and employers can refer an employee if they have not yet been referred by their GP after four weeks of absence.

During a Fit for Work referral, the occupational health professional will identify obstacles preventing the employee from returning to work and produce a Return to Work Plan tailored to the employee’s needs. Referrals can be made by GPs, and employers can refer an employee if they have not yet been referred by their GP after four weeks of absence.

Employees will need to consent to be referred to Fit for Work and for the Return to Work Plan to be shared with their GP and employer.

Fit for Work is designed to work alongside, not replace, existing occupational health services.

Who is delivering Fit for Work?

Fit for Work is being delivered in England and Wales by Health Management Ltd

For more details visit the Fit For Work website