The government’s fit note proposals, which are intended to accommodate partially-fit returners to work, could lead to disputes between workers and their employers and GPs, a legal expert has warned. The proposals, expected to be introduced next spring, are designed to replace the sicknote culture and help more people stay in work, rather than drift into long-term sickness.

However, Sue Ashtiany, head of employment at law firm Nabarro LLP, has warned of “increased potential for conflict” between employers and employees over the scope of workplace changes that may need to be made to cater for partially-fit returners.

The Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) group drafted a response to the DWP paper. The consultation ended on 31 August and the DWP are now reviewing the responses and will publish the results in due course.