When do you need a fit note

If an employee is ill just before or during their holiday, they can take it as sick leave instead. They might do this if they do not qualify for sick pay, for example. Any rules relating to sick leave will still apply. The exceptions to this rule are:. Employees can get advice from Acas on managing health conditions at work and returning to work from sick leave.

Employees who are off work sick for more than 4 weeks may be considered long-term sick. A long-term sick employee is still entitled to annual leave. As a last resort, employers can dismiss an employee who is long-term sick, but before they can do this employers must:.

Check what you need to do. To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Or if you are getting hospital treatment, ask for one from your hospital doctor.

Your doctor will assess you, and if they decide your health affects your fitness for work, they can issue a fit note and advise either that:. Your doctor will choose the "may be fit for work" option if they think that you are able to do some work, even if it is not your usual job, with support from your employer.

Discuss this advice with your employer to see if you can return to work. For example, your doctor may suggest possible changes, such as:. If your employer is unable to accommodate the changes advised by a doctor, then the fit note is treated as though it said "unfit for work". There is never a charge from a doctor for providing a fit note if you're off sick from work for more than 7 days. For sickness of 7 days or less, your GP practice may charge you to provide a private medical certificate.

Most employers ask for a fit note from your GP. This policy should tell you how many days you can be off sick before you need to provide proof of illness or a fit note. A fit note must be signed by a doctor, for example, your GP. On the fit note, your GP can advise that:. If you need a fit note, contact your GP surgery. They may advise you to make an appointment or book a telephone consultation.

From early July , your GP may start to give you a computer-completed fit note, rather than handwritten fit note.