UNISON Challenges Government Over Well Notes For Employees, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 22 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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UNISON, the UK's leading public sector union, said we need more investigation into the concept of well notes before they are introduced. We welcome the recognition that more needs to be done to get people on long term sick back into work.

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis commented:

"Staff go on long term sick leave for many reasons, often due to the work they do itself. Not all work is good for you. Working in the public sector can be stressful and specific health complaints arise for certain professions. It is a sad fact that 75% of ambulance staff retire at 54 due to the physical and mental demands of the job. Nurses, cleaners, cooks refuse collectors and homecare workers are some of the many staff plagued by back injuries in the pubic sector.

"We want employers to adopt a rehabilitative approach, rather taking punitive action. It is good practice to work with employees to give them sufficient time to recover, and to allow a phased return to work if they need it. It is unacceptable for people to be forced back into work and into a spiral of declining health."

Staff shortages pile on the pressure for those left behind and many staff are unable to return to work. Prevention is always better than cure and we must deal with the underlying causes of ill health if we are to cut down long term sick leave.

http://www.unison.org.uk