Sickness Certificates
You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website. If you are employed you will need form SC2, if you are self-employed or unemployed you will need form SC1.
Self-certification forms usually include details such as:
- information about your sickness or illness
- the date your sickness started
- the date your sickness ended
Evidence that you are sick
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 SSP (statutory sick pay).
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'
The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.
For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).
Fit notes and how to get one
If you require a fit note, contact your GP surgery, or if you are currently under treatment at the hospital, you can request one from your hospital doctor.
Your doctor will assess you, and if they decide your health affects your fitness for work, they can issue a fit note and advise either that:
Your doctor will decide on the "may be fit for work" option if they consider you are able to perform some work, even if it is not your typical employment, with the support of your employer. Discuss this advice with your employer to determine whether you can return to work. For example, your doctor might suggest various adjustments, such as:
a phased return to work
amended duties
altered hours
workplace adaptations
If your employer can't make the adjustments recommended by your doctor, the fit note will be considered as saying "unfit for work."