Time off work
Sick and fit notes
Fit notes are also called doctor's notes, sick notes, medical certificates or doctor's statements. You will need one if you are off work sick for more than seven days.
Off sick for seven days or less
Your employer should not ask you for a fit note. Instead they can ask you to confirm you have been ill by filling in a form yourself when you return to work – this is called self-certification.
Self-certification forms usually ask for details of your illness and the dates it started and ended. Those dates can include days you do not normally work, such as weekends and bank holidays.
Many employers have their own form. If yours does not, they may use the SC2 form from HM Revenue & Customs. Complete and download a self-certification form.
Off sick for more than seven days
Your employer will normally ask you to provide a fit note from your GP. The seven days include days you do not normally work, so count weekends and bank holidays when working out how long you have been off.
When you need a fit note also depends on your employer’s sickness absence policy. Ask your team leader or supervisor, or speak to someone in HR.
How to get a fit note
A fit note must be signed by a doctor. It lets your GP give advice to help you return to work, because work can play an important part in helping people recover from illness or injury. The GP can either say you are not fit for work, or that you may be fit for work – they will choose “may be fit for work” if returning, with support from your employer, would help you.
There is also space for the GP to advise your employer about the impact of your illness or injury, and to suggest ways they can help you return – such as working part time temporarily, or changing your duties.
If you have already seen a doctor at the practice about the problem, or we have received a letter from the hospital about your sickness, you may not need to be seen again. Complete the request form and it will be passed to a doctor to review.
If you have not seen a doctor here and we have had no information from a medical professional about your illness, you will not be able to get a fit note without an appointment. Please book a routine appointment – urgent appointments are for genuine medical emergencies, not for fit notes.
There are rules governing the issue of fit notes, and the GP may not be able to supply one depending on the information you provide. If you are under the care of a hospital, your fit note may be issued by the hospital rather than by the practice.
Charges
There is usually no charge for a fit note if you are off sick for more than seven days.
Some employers ask for a note even when you have been off for seven days or less. That is a private, non-NHS note and a charge of £20 is payable.
When your fit note runs out
If your note runs out but you are still sick, you will need to consult the doctor again before a further note can be issued.
Fit notes can be backdated, so there is no need to book an emergency appointment to renew one. If you attend an emergency appointment for a fit note you will be asked to rebook.
Ready to request a fit note?
Use the online form whether this is your first note for this illness or your current one is running out.
Request a fit note