Self Certification sick / fit note for less than 7 days
If you are off work for seven days or fewer you do not need a medical certificate from your doctor. You will however need a self certification form.
Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn’t have its own form you can download the self certification form from the government website. Please print it, fill it in and hand it in to your employer. You do not need to see a doctor.
The seven days includes days that you don’t normally work. So when you work out how long you’ve been off sick, you should include weekends and bank holidays.
If your employer insists on a certificate from your doctor for illness between 1-7 days, this service is not covered by the NHS and a charge will be made.
Sick / fit note for 7 days or more absence
If illness should cause you to be absent from work for a period longer than seven days, you need to book an appointment to speak with your GP and obtain a medical certificate confirming your illness and inability to work. This will ensure that you receive company sick pay or statutory sick pay (SSP) from the government. The only exceptions to this may be after hospital inpatient or outpatient treatment or for long-term. These certificates are called ‘Fitness to Work’ Certificates.
Requesting an additional sick / fit note
If you have already had a sick note (fit note) for this illness your doctor may not need to see you to issue an additional sick note, but you will need to request an additional ongoing sick / fit to work note.
