Sickness Certificates

Learn more about sickness certificates

Request a sickness certificate (fit note)

If you are off work for 7 days or less, you do not need to give your employer a fit note or other proof of sickness from a medical professional.

Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or you can download it from the HMRC website.

You must give your employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) if you’ve been ill for more than 7 days in a row and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.

You can get a fit note from a GP or hospital doctor

See the NHS website for information that explains the fit note process and what to discuss with your employer especially if you are classed as "Maybe fit to work". If your employer feels they cannot find anything suitable for you to do, they would class you as "Not fit for work". Learn more about the sickness certificate process

Taken sick leave for more than 7 days in a row? Request your sick/fit note here.

Get started