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Sickness
Certificates have been replaced by
Statements of Fitness for Work (Fit
Notes).
How is the fit note different?
The main change is that your GP can
give you advice to help you return
to work. This is because work can
play an important part in helping
people to recover from illness or
injury.
Sickness of seven days or less
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.
Sickness of seven days or more
If you’re off work sick for more
than seven days, your employer will
usually ask you to provide evidence
or proof that you’ve been ill. They
will normally ask for a fit note
from your GP.
Fit notes and how
to get one
A fit note must be signed by a
doctor, such as your GP. On the fit
note, your GP can advise that:
- you are ‘not
fit for work’
- you ‘may be
fit for work’
‘Not Fit
for Work’ - send the fit
note to your employer. It
provides evidence that you
cannot work because of your
health.
‘May be Fit for Work’ -
this means you may be able to
return to work with some help
from your employer. The fit note
includes:
- more
space for your GP to give
general advice about the
impact of your illness or
injury
- tick
boxes for your GP to
suggest, where appropriate,
common ways in which your
employer could support your
return to work
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