Off sick for 7 days or less? You don’t need a doctor’s note — just complete a self-certification form (SC2), available from your employer or the HMRC website.

Off sick for more than 7 days? Your employer can ask for medical evidence. A “Statement of Fitness for Work” (Fit Note) from your GP or other medical practitioner (e.g. a dentist) is the usual evidence, but your employer decides what they’ll accept.

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of statutory sick pay (SSP). It is up to your employer to decide if you are capable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are ill and would normally be accepted. You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a Medical Practitioner, e.g. a Dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable.

Statement of Fitness for Work – ‘Fit Note’ -Introduced in April 2010 with Employer’s support, the ‘Fit Note’ will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury. You may wish to look on the Direct Gov Website which has further information on SSP.

The Fit Note replaced the old medical certificate in 2010. It records your doctor’s support for your recovery and can help you return to work sooner where possible. More information on Fit Notes and sick pay is available on GOV.UK.