Department of Work and Pensions

Women are nearly three times more likely to take stress-related absence than men, according to new research.

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.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published guidelines for individuals and healthcare professionals regarding patients about to return to work.

Better communication throughout the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) system and an audit of decision makers' rulings have been recommended by an independent review.

The sickness absence review is expected to call for a government funded panel to judge people's ability to work, taking the responsibility away from doctors.

General Practitioners (GPs) have accepted Fit Notes implementation, but barriers remain, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has found.

The Work and Pensions Secretary has vowed that employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants appealing their ineligibility decision will not have their benefit payments stopped.

Fewer appeals against Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) decisions are being found in the claimants favour, according to government statistics.

Fewer claimants are being found eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) despite government claims that the benefits system is providing greater protection for disabled people.

Disability charities are horrified at government plans to cut employment and support allowance (ESA) during appeals.