Sickness Certificates

Employees only need a fit note from a doctor after 7 days off work sick.

Fit notes and proof of sickness

Employees must give their employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) if they’re off sick for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days).

Hospital doctors or GPs can provide a fit note. If the note is asked for before the 7th day this will be a private sick note and we will charge you for issuing it.

Self-certification

Employers can ask employees to fill in a form if they have been off sick for up to 7 days. This is called ‘self-certification’. Employers usually provide their own version of this form we do not supply self-certification forms.