Quick Answer: How Long Can You Self-Certify?
Employees can self-certify sickness absence for up to 7 calendar days (including weekends and non-working days). After 7 days, a fit note from a GP or hospital doctor is required.
| Absence Duration | Evidence Required |
|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | Self-certification (employee's own declaration) |
| Day 8 onwards | Fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work) from a doctor |
What is Self-Certification?
Self-certification is the process by which an employee declares that they were unfit for work due to illness, without needing a doctor's note. It covers the first 7 calendar days of any sickness absence.
Key Points
- The 7 days include weekends and non-working days, not just working days
- Employers cannot insist on a GP note for the first 7 days
- Employers can require the employee to complete a self-certification form on their return
- Self-certification is the employee's own statement — it does not need medical evidence
The Self-Certification Form
While there is no legal obligation to use a specific form, most employers use a standard self-certification form (sometimes called an SC2 form) to capture:
- Employee name and department
- First and last day of sickness
- Nature of illness (the employee can keep this general, e.g., "stomach illness")
- Whether the employee consulted a doctor
- Employee signature and date
Can You Use a Company Form?
Yes. You can create your own self-certification form. Many employers include it as part of their return-to-work interview process.
The HMRC SC2 form is no longer published, but the concept remains. Your company form serves the same purpose.
When a Fit Note is Required
After 7 calendar days of sickness, the employee must provide a fit note. This is a formal medical document issued by:
- A GP
- A hospital doctor
- Certain other healthcare professionals (since July 2022)
Fit Note Options
A fit note can state the employee is:
| Statement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Not fit for work" | Employee should not return until the note expires |
| "May be fit for work" | Employee could return with adjustments (phased return, altered hours, amended duties, workplace adaptations) |
Since 2022, fit notes are issued digitally by the NHS. Employees may receive them by email or through the NHS App.
Counting the 7 Days
The 7-day self-certification window counts calendar days, not working days.
Example — Employee is sick from Monday:
| Day | Calendar Day | Working Day? |
|---|---|---|
| Monday (Day 1) | 1 | Yes |
| Tuesday (Day 2) | 2 | Yes |
| Wednesday (Day 3) | 3 | Yes |
| Thursday (Day 4) | 4 | Yes |
| Friday (Day 5) | 5 | Yes |
| Saturday (Day 6) | 6 | No |
| Sunday (Day 7) | 7 | No |
| Monday (Day 8) | 8 | Yes — fit note now needed |
If the employee is still sick on Day 8, they must obtain a fit note from their GP.
Employer Rights and Obligations
What Employers Can Do
- Require employees to complete a self-certification form on return
- Include self-certification in the return-to-work interview
- Record the absence for Bradford Factor tracking
- Ask the general nature of illness (but cannot demand medical details)
What Employers Cannot Do
- Insist on a GP note for the first 7 days
- Refuse to accept self-certification as valid evidence
- Require employees to disclose specific medical diagnoses
- Withhold SSP solely because the employee self-certified rather than seeing a doctor
Frequent Self-Certification and Absence Patterns
While individual self-certified absences are normal, patterns may warrant attention:
Warning Signs
- Frequent Monday or Friday absences
- Self-certified absence consistently at 6–7 days (just under the fit note threshold)
- Absences coinciding with events, holidays, or deadlines
- Increasing frequency over time
Appropriate Response
- Use return-to-work interviews to have supportive conversations
- Monitor Bradford Factor scores for objective pattern detection
- Offer support (occupational health, EAP) before escalating
- Follow your absence management policy consistently
Self-Certification and SSP
Self-certification is sufficient evidence for SSP purposes for the first 7 days. Remember:
- SSP does not begin until the 4th qualifying day (after 3 waiting days)
- Employers cannot withhold SSP because no GP note was provided for days 1–7
- If the absence exceeds 7 days and no fit note is provided, you can withhold SSP from day 8 onwards
Managing Self-Certification with Grove
Grove simplifies the self-certification process:
- Digital self-certification forms completed by employees on return
- Automatic integration with return-to-work interview workflow
- Fit note tracking with reminders when fit notes are due or expiring
- Absence records automatically updated for Bradford Factor calculations
Get started with Grove to streamline absence evidence management.
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The Grove Team
Grove HR
The Grove Team writes about HR best practices, compliance, and workplace culture for Grove. Helping UK businesses cultivate thriving teams.
