Fitness for Work (Sicknote / MED 3)

Posted on August 4th, 2020

Employees can take time off work if they’re ill and you will need to complete a self certificate online,  if you’ve been sick for 4 or more days in a row and need to claim SSP from your employer.  When you’ve filled in the form give it to your employer, it will help them decide if you can get SSP. Keep a copy for your own information.

If they’re ill just before or during their holiday, they can take it as sick leave instead.

Employees must give their employer a doctor’s ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) if they’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.

Employees self-isolating and cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)  can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111. They do not have to go to their GP or a hospital.

If you are off work with any other illness, then you can request a fit note from a GP or hospital doctor. If your employer agrees, a similar document can be provided by a physiotherapist, podiatrist or occupational therapist instead. This is called an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Health and Work Report.

Fit notes are free if you have been ill for more than 7 days, however the doctor might charge a fee if they are asked for the fit note earlier.

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’,  employees need to discuss with their employers any changes that might help them 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.

Employers can take a copy of the fit note. The employee should keep the original.

PLEASE NOTE :- Fit Notes can not be requested or issued if you have not been seen/spoken to by a GP or another Healthcare Professional during your current illness.

As with all Fit Notes, it is at the doctors discretion as to whether they are happy to issue the fit note or a review is required.

If you need advice or treatment please submit your request via e-consult