Sick notes – also called fit notes – are only needed for employment purposes. They are used to confirm that you’re too unwell to work, if your illness has lasted more than 7 days.
Sick (fit) notes are only for work – they aren’t suitable for things like school, college, or university absences.
If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less
If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill.
Instead, they 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. We call this self-certification.
When do I need a sick (fit) note?
You only need a sick note if you’ve been off work for more than 7 days. For shorter absences, you can fill in a self-certification form for your employer.
If you do need a sick note, it should come from the doctor or team treating your condition.
For example, if you’ve recently had an operation or a fracture, the hospital team should provide your fit note.
Your GP will only issue a sick note if they are the ones managing your condition.
To request a sick note from the practice:
- fill in an online form in PATCHS
- phone us on 0161 445 9000 or visit the practice if you are unable to complete a PATCHS form and require assistance
Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.