Fake Sick Notes Warning

Faking it!
Fake Sick Notes Warning to Kent firms

Boutique employment law practice Loch Associates - www.lochassociates.co.uk – is warning employers across Kent to be on the lookout for fake sick notes having discovered a website which sells them for just £5.

Anyone can contact the website http://www.doctorsnotestore.com and buy a fake fit note as they are known; they are on special offer currently, 2 for just £9.99 -
http://www.doctorsnotestore.com/NHS_fake_doctors_sick_note.html





Loch Associates was founded three years ago by Pam Loch, who was recently featured on the BBC news - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10243481.stm advising on key employment law issues, for example fair practice for remuneration.

Pam comments: “Although the website contains a disclaimer indicating that the notes are for novelty use only, they do look entirely genuine, are printed on authentic GP paper and even contain GP stamps with a choice of locations.

“There are steps employers can take to avoid fraud - for example building good working relationships with GPs which is also a benefit when support is required for staff with real and ongoing health issues that impact their work. Making employees aware of the serious consequences of being caught using one of these notes could also be another way to stop the abuse.”

Selling sick notes is not illegal so a person could type one up and sell it without being prosecuted. It only becomes illegal when you receive a payment or advantage, for instance paid time off work, because of its use.

Pam urges employers to ensure their employment contracts permit them to ask their employees to attend a medical examination, or to request a report from their GP. “If an employer is suspicious about the authenticity of a fit-note then they could potentially rely on a contractual right to contact the employee’s GP, or send them to an independent medical expert, to obtain verification of their condition. If clear evidence is found that an employee has submitted a fake sick-note then this is likely to constitute an act of gross misconduct justifying dismissal without notice.”

©HRAdviseMe™ www.hradvise.me Email ask@hradvise.me