Usually a fit note (doctor’s certificate) is not required unless an employee has been off work for more than seven days. However, a temporary change has been brought into effect which means a fit note is not required unless an employee has been off work for more than 28 days.
In order to increase GP capacity to support the COVID-19 booster programme, the Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2021 came into force on 17 December 2021, providing that an employee is not required to provide a fit note in respect of the first 28 days of any period of incapacity for work which either started during the period 17 December 2021 to 26 January 2022, or which commenced prior to 17 December 2021 but which had not lasted more than seven days on that date (so the requirement to provide medical evidence had not yet arisen).
In practice, this means that employees can self-certify for absences of up to 28 days during the period 10 December 2021 to 26 January 2022.
How can LincsLaw help?
If you would like specific advice any employment matter please contact one of our specialist employment law solicitors at LincsLaw on 01522 440512 or visit our website at www.lincslaw.co.uk for more details on how we can help you.
Kathryn Bolton
Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
LincsLaw Employment Solicitors
Kathryn Bolton