Sick (fit) notes

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.

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.

Please complete the online form to request a certificate, Please note the GP may need to discuss this before issuing or may not be able to write one. Allow 3 working days for this.

If you have been sick for less than 7 days, you can complete a self-certificate sick note here.

Request a sick note if sick for more than 7 days