The vast majority of employers do not believe the GP fit note is effective.

Nine out of ten employers responding to a poll by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) dismissed the GP fit note – or Statement of Fitness for Work – as “ineffective”.

The CIPP described the results as “disappointing”.

“The fit note was intended to be used as a tool to encourage conversations between employers and employees about how an earlier return to work after sickness could be facilitated,” said Diana Bruce, Senior Policy Liaison Officer at the CIPP.

“Managing sickness absence is a challenging and often sensitive issue for employers so if the communication channels are open from the outset with clear company policies, the easier the process should be for both employers and employees.

“The CIPP is disappointed with the [poll] results.”

The government introduced the Statement of Fitness for Work in April 2010, following a review by Dame Carol Black.

Research carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) in 2011 suggests some employers resist the replacement of the sick note.

Furthermore, nearly three out of five employers (58%) also surveyed in 2011 also said they did not think the GP fit note would help reduce employee absence levels.