Request a Sick Note for work

Doctors can write notes called Fit Notes to help you return to work if you've been sick or injured.

The doctor can say you're not fit for work or that you might be fit for work with some help from your employer.

The note also tells your employer how your illness or injury affects you and suggests ways they can support you at work, like letting you work part-time or avoid heavy lifting.

You can fill out a fit note request form at the reception, and the doctor will review it. They might even talk to you on the phone if they know you well and understand your situation.

Your employer can ask you to confirm that you've been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification.

Self-certification forms usually include details such as:

• information about your sickness or illness
• the date your sickness started
• the date your sickness ended

These dates may be days that you don't normally work. For example, your sickness could start or end on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday.

Many employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn't have their own form, instead they may use an SC2 form from HM Revenue & Customs Employee's Statement of Sickness.

Download a template self certifcation form

If your certificate expires, but you're still sick, you'll need to see the doctor again before getting another one.

You don't need to make an emergency appointment just to renew your certificate, as fit certificates can be back-dated.