Sick (fit) notes

If you have been ill for more than 7 days you will need a doctor’s certificate. These certificates are called ‘Fitness To Work’ Certificates. The doctor may call you or arrange for an appointment. If you have already been seen by your Doctor about this illness your certificate will be sent to you within a week. Initial Fit notes should been issued from the date of contact with health care professionals and cannot be back dated if not been seen previously.

If you have been off sick for 7 days or less

If you are off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you have been ill.  Instead they can ask you to confirm that you have been ill.  You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work.  We call this self-certification.

Find our more about sick notes on the NHS website   https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/getting-a-fit-note/