Sick (fit) Notes

If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days

You only need a doctor’s note (fit note) if you are unable to work and are ill for longer than seven calendar days. 

To request a repeat sicknote please wait until the date of your current sick note ends.

Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.

If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less

If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.