Temporary change to fit notes (sick notes)
For Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), where employees go off sick on or after 10 December 2021, employers can only ask employees for proof of sickness (such as a fit note) after 28 days of sickness (including non-working days). Proof of sickness cannot be requested earlier than 28 days.
This is a change from 7 days, which still applies for illnesses which started before this date.
Fit notes do not have to be provided for DWP benefit claims until 27th January 2022. This will not affect claims to benefit.
These changes are to give GP’s more time to work on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) booster programme.
If you are concerned about your health condition, you should continue to see your GP.
The best way to obtain a fit note is to use the administrative Econsult service.
Doctors issue fit notes to people to provide evidence of the advice they have given about their fitness for work. They record details of the functional effects of their patient’s condition so the patient and their employer can consider ways to help them return to work.
If employees are self-isolating and cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19) they can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111. They do not have to ask their GP or a hospital.