The DWP has issued strict guidelines for doctors to follow when issuing Fitness for Work notes (formerly known as ‘sick notes’).
If the illness is:
- Less than 3 days: your employer should not require a Fitness for Work note. You should inform your employer is that you are unable to come.
- Between 4 and 7 days: you should hand your employer a “self certificate” (SC1). You do not need to see the doctor for this. SC1 forms normally available at your work place.
- More than 7 days: You will need a Fitness for Work note and must see the doctor to get one. It is only at 7 days that you need a doctors’ note. If you require a note covering illness when you saw a different doctor (e.g. casualty) the doctor at the surgery must be in receipt of written evidence that you saw another doctor.
Fitness for Work notes needed before 7 days illness will incur a charge that should be borne by your employer.
For Mat B1 form you will need to speak to your midwife for issue of this certificate. This is issued after 31 weeks of pregnancy.
Please visit the Department for Work and Pensions website for more information.