The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is urging a reform of the way that sick notes are issued to employees when covering time off work.

According to the FPB, the information currently present on sick notes does not adequately explain to employers what the employee is able to do, which can be damaging to smaller firms who may depend upon a small number of staff.

The FPB believes that explanations for complaints such as back pain should be considerably less vague.

"There are also some health complaints that don't stop a worker from being able to do his or her job," said Victoria Carson, campaigns manager for the FPB, speaking at a recent Department of Work and Pensions event.

"Someone with a twisted ankle is perfectly capable of sitting at a desk," she added.

As a result of employee sickness, around 32.9 million working days are lost each year, according to the Health and Safety Executive.