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 GovUK website.

Or download the SC2 self certification form from our website on this link.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are unwell for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (MED3) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise. The fit note will say the employee is either ‘not fit for work’ or ‘may be fit for work’. If it says the employee ‘may be fit for work’, employers should discuss any changes that might help the employee return to work (for example, different hours or tasks). The employee must be treated as ‘not fit for work’ if there’s no agreement on these changes.

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 GovUK website

If you need a sick note, you can request this via SystmConnect.