If you have been off sick for 7 days or less
All UK employees should self-certify with employers for first 7 days of sick-leave (GPs only issue NHS sick-notes after first 7 days have been self-certified).
To count “sick days”, you need to count all the days in a row you’ve been sick, including days you don’t normally work such as weekends and bank holidays.
Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn’t have its own form your can download this Self Certification Form (PDF). Please print it, fill it in and hand it in to your employer. You do not need to see a Doctor.
Some employers insist on a Doctor’s note regardless. A Doctors note under these circumstances involves a charge of £20.
If you have been off sick for more than 7 days
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. If it is clear you are going to absent for a long time your doctor can backdate the initial sick note to the first day of absence. Sick notes cannot be future dated.
You may be required to arrange an appointment with a GP to discuss your sicknote request if there is any doubt or the reasons for the absence need to be clarified.
If you have already had a sick note for the current illness your GP may not need to see you again to issue an additional Sick Note.
Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.
