Sickness Certificates
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.
For any illness lasting longer than seven days you will need to see the doctor for him/her to issue a sickness certificate (F.med3) and for any subsequent renewal of the certificate. If your employer insists on a sickness certificate for 7 days or less a charge will be levied.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT CLASSED AS AN EMERGENCY TO HAVE YOUR SICK NOTE REVIEWED. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK AN EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT FOR THIS.
Important Changes from 6 April 2010:
New ‘fit note’ to help you back to work after illness
A new ‘fit note’ is going to be introduced in place of the doctor’s sick note on 6 April 2010 if Parliament approves the changes. 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.
Fit note – changes explained
The new fit note will be called the ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ and will be used in England, Scotland and Wales. It will have more information than the present doctor’s sick note.
The main changes will mean:
your GP will be able to say if they think you are ‘not fit for work’ or ‘may be fit for work’
your GP can add advice to the note for your employer on how simple changes to the job you do may allow you to return to work earlier
there will be fewer kinds of medical statements forms issued by GPs
Follow the link below to see a sample of the new fit note on the Department of Work and Pensions website.
Sample of new fit note (PDF, 110 KB)
How the changes will help employees and employers
Research shows that long periods out of work can lead to worse health while working can be good for your physical and mental health and well-being. The longer you are absent through illness, the lower are the chances of you returning to work. Work may help you recover quicker from illness.
The new fit note is intended for both employees and employers by helping people back to work as soon as possible. Employees will benefit from better health and well-being because they have gone back to work. Employers will be able to keep skilled staff, contributing to the success of the business and reducing sickness absence.
Useful links
Follow the links below to find out about Statutory Sick Pay and company sick pay rights.
Company sick pay rights (employment section)
Statutory Sick Pay (money, tax and benefits section)
Source: direct.gov.uk