Temporary Change to ‘Fit Note’ Requirements

Usually, an employee can self-certify a period of sickness for up to 7 calendar days only, before being required to provide medical certification for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) purposes, from the 8^th day.

Medical certification normally takes the form of a Statement of Fitness for Work, otherwise known as a ‘fit note’.

However, to take the pressure off GPs during the current push on Covid Booster Vaccinations, the Government introduced new rules on Friday 17^th December, meaning that employees should not be required to provide medical certification for SSP purposes, for absences of up to 28 days.   This applies to any sickness absence that commenced on or after 10^th December 2021 and continues up to and including 26^th January 2022.

The 28-day period still includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays, and we recommend that employers still require employees to provide self-certification for this period.

Should you have any queries regarding this temporary change, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01743 444 007 or 01952 981 007, or by email to admin@trianglehr.co.uk.