Nearly a third (31.3%) of fit notes issued by GPs are for mental and behaviour disorders, according to a report published last week. This was the most common known reason for issuing a fit note, new experimental figures from NHS Digital have revealed. The report reviewed fit notes issued between December 2014 and March 2017. Of episodes for mental health and behavioural conditions, around one in five were issued for a period of absence of more than 12 weeks.  The number of fit notes known to have been written for anxiety and stress related c... Continue reading

Around 742,000 people across the world die annually from cancer linked to work activities, according to research published this week. That estimate represents nearly double the number of deaths from workplace accidents. The new research was carried out by the International Labour Organization, ministries in Finland and Singapore, the Workplace Safety and Health Institute in Singapore, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the International Commission on Occupational Health and the European Occupational Safety and Health Agency. It was... Continue reading

A UK engineering company has been fined after a 29-year-old worker was diagnosed with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) – a condition causing tingling, pins and needles, numbness and pain in the affected person’s hands. Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how the employee, who was working in the trimming department at Taylor Engineering and Plastics Limited, was exposed to vibration from tools used to sand components. Health surveillance implemented at the company in 2014 showed that the employee had developed HAVS through expos... Continue reading

Employers seeking to promote diversity and inclusion will doubtless already be aware of the Disability Confident scheme set up by the UK government. The scheme encourages employers to: challenge attitudes towards disability; increase understanding of disability; remove barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions; and ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations The scheme has 3 levels designed to support employers at every step on their Disability ... Continue reading

The Supreme Court surprised many last month when it decided Employment Tribunal fees were unlawful. Statistics cited during the case revealed the number of tribunals brought had fallen by as much as 70% since the charges were introduced in 2013. The following are the four types of case that employment lawyers believe courts are likely to be hearing more in the future. Equal pay disputes Claims surrounding equal pay are likely to increase, particularly given the attention the BBC pay report garnered along with the onset of gender pay reporting... Continue reading