Sick notes

If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days

To request a sick note:

Please ensure you include all the necessary details, such as:

  • Your first day off sick
  • The number of days you need off
  • The reason your absence and whether you have spoken to us or another medical professional about this issue.

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.

Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.

Page last reviewed: 03 November 2025
Page created: 28 October 2025