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Swine flu self-certification backed by CIPD

Tuesday 14th July 2009

By Mike Jones

As the number of swine flu cases soars, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) believes employers have nothing to fear from emergency plans currently being considered by the Department for Work and Pensions to change the self-certification "sicknote" rules from seven to 14 days.

The plans are under ongoing review by the Government’s Civil Contingency Committee, with draft regulations ready to lay before Parliament. The regulations would have a sunset clause and would only remain law for six months unless it was agreed that they needed to be extended.

CIPD Senior Public Policy Adviser Ben Willlmott said: "The proposal to change the self-certification rules in the event of a serious flu pandemic is a pragmatic and temporary measure to reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and help prevent the spread of infection.

"Employers that manage absence and performance effectively and consistently have nothing to fear.

"The vast majority of absence is genuine and only a very small proportion of employees will seek to use this change in the self-certification rules to 'pull a sickie'."

Have your say on this story using the comment section below

View Comments 9 comments

Posted By Maureen on Wednesday 15th July 2009 09:36:49
I feel the increase from 7 to 14 days self certificate will be seen as a positive decision but as ever can be open to abuse. A robust absence management policy combined with a flexible outlook to working life from the employer should help any organisation esp small organisations manage this pandemic. I think it will be a suck it and see scenario.

Posted By Steve on Tuesday 14th July 2009 12:03:22
Can I have the last week in July and the first week in August!

Posted By Grant Paskins on Tuesday 14th July 2009 11:39:10
Last comment: if they don't need the bacon they may tell porkies; but then again they may get squealed on!

Posted By Porky Pig on Tuesday 14th July 2009 11:33:17
I tried calling the Swine Flu help line the other day.... all I heard was crackling.

Posted By Ando on Tuesday 14th July 2009 11:31:57
If they get caught out lying though they will feel 'pig sick'

Posted By Mr Speaker on Tuesday 14th July 2009 09:53:56
Boomtime for the temps

Posted By Susie on Tuesday 14th July 2009 09:53:33
We all seem to have forgotten about swine flu for a few weeks but it is definitely back and it seems quite scary. I think 14-day self-certfication is right in the circumstances

Posted By Le Grande on Tuesday 14th July 2009 09:52:09
Anyone lying would obviously be telling porkies.

Posted By bruce on Tuesday 14th July 2009 02:00:33
typical over reaction from beaurocrats and people who may not be in touch with reality.Once I have recovered from my Bird flu and Sars I should be fairly strong to fight off the swine flu

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