The fit note is failing to reduce employee sickness absence and may take five years to become fully integrated, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has revealed.
Although companies do not believe it is being used effectively by GPs the fit note's introduction has encouraged discussions between line managers and staff around absence issues.
The findings mirror some of those found by the Department for Work and Pensions last month which said GPs were embracing the new method but were still uncertain of some features.
It also reinforces the Confederation of British Industry's view that the fit note was not reducing workplace sickness absence after levels rose in 2010.
The CIPD and Simplyhealth Absence Management survey found the fit note is not being as widely used in smaller companies.
Overall, 87% of employers who responded have used the fit note in their organisations, however its use was less common in smaller businesses of less than 50 employees (54%).
And employers remain unconvinced that the fit note has yet had much impact in helping to reduce levels of sickness absence.
Just one in ten respondents (11%) said it had reduced absence in their organisation while the same number believed GPs were using it effectively.
This suggested there is a clear disconnect between employers' needs and current outcomes.
However, more than half of employers (52%) agree that the fit note has enabled line managers to prompt conversations about absence and health issues with their staff.
Just under a third of the organisations (31%) questioned in the CIPD and Simplyhealth survey agreed that the fit note helps line managers to manage absence more effectively.
Dr Jill Miller, CIPD Adviser, said the research revealed fit notes can promote good quality conversations between managers and their employees, which has a positive impact on the management of absence.
"However, the survey suggests the fit note has yet to have a real impact on reducing absence levels," she said.
"We are seeing some positive reviews of the fit note from GPs, but employers do not share such a warm view at present.
"GPs and employers need to work from the same page, promoting what is best for the individual employee's health and well-being, but also what makes sense for the business.
"Policy makers, however, should not be discouraged as it may well take five years or so before the fit note is consistently used effectively and viewed more favourably by GPs, employers and employees, to support early and lasting returns to work," she added.
