Sickness Certificates

 

Request a sickness certificate (fit note)

If you are off work for 7 days or less, you do not need to give your employer a fit note or other proof of sickness from a medical professional.

Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or you can complete to form online via the website.

You must give your employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) if you’ve been ill for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.

Frequently asked questions

I have been off for 7 days or less, do I need a fit note?

No, If you're off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you've been ill.

  • Instead they can ask you to confirm that you've been ill.
  • You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification.

I have been off for more than 7 days, do I need a fit note?

Yes, If you're off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a fit note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a healthcare professional.

  • Fit notes are sometimes referred to as medical statements or doctor's notes.

How do I calculate sick days?

When you work out the number of days that you've been sick, you need to count all the days in a row you've been sick, including days you do not usually work, such as weekends and bank holidays.

Is there a charge for fit notes?

There is never a charge from a healthcare professional for providing a fit note if you're off sick from work for more than 7 days.

For sickness of 7 days or less, we may charge you to provide a private medical certificate.

  • For example, some employers may request medical evidence from employees who repeatedly take time off sick, even if each time they're off work it's for 7 days or less.A fit note cannot be used for this purpose and a healthcare professional may charge to issue a private certificate.

How to request a new fit note

How to request an extention to an exisiting fit note

This may not require an appointment so the GP may respond to you by phone or text.