Sick (fit) notes

Request a sick (fit) note online

You can now request a continuation of a sick note using the admin query form.

Self-Certification

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). Most employers ask for a fit note from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work – ‘Fit Note’ or ‘Sick Note’

Employees must give their employer a ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) if they’ve been ill for more than seven days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.
 
Employees can get a fit note from the following healthcare professionals:

  • GP or hospital doctor
  • registered nurse
  • occupational therapist
  • pharmacist
  • physiotherapist

The healthcare professional needs to assess the employee’s fitness for work before giving a fit note. Please note, not all clinicians provide this service.

For more information, visit: NHS – When do I need a fit note and GOV.UK – Taking Sick Leave