Sick note

[horselady]

How long before you need to get a doctor's note when you're off sick. Some people are telling me 3 days, others are saying 5!

[Champagne]

You're fine for the first couple of days, but to cover the 3rd to 5th days off work you will need to complete a self-certification. This is a form obtained from your employer but it's their responsibility to ensure that staff complete this form. From the 6th day that you are off sick you will need to provide a Doctor's certificate.

[4getmenot]

depends on who you work for? Better to ask your employer

[Eve]

You only need a sick note after 7 days, before that you can self certify.

[horselady]

Thanks everyone, I've been off yesterday and today and certainly can't see myself going back tomorrow, just had a horrible feeling that I would have to drag my poor flu ridden (sob) self to the docs on Thursday but maybe not. (not really moaning too much, lots much worse off than me I know, but still feel like death warmed up at the moment)

[whiskeysheri]

Hello, horselady!

Just thought I'd drop in. I hope you feel better soon and that your daughter's doing okay, too. :o) x

[horselady]

Hi whiskeysheri!
Good to hear from you. My daughter is fine and the baby (George) is now 4 months old. The hospital has worked wonders with his club foot, he's been wearing little white boots with a bar attached and looks like he's snowboarding! He only has to wear them for another 2 weeks and then just at night for a year or so. Hope all is OK with you :-)

[whiskeysheri]

Aww, I'm glad he's doing well. He sounds so cute!

Take care. Lots of love, ws x

[Hans_Olo]

Sick notes are confusing - companies often ask for 1 from day 1 this is so that people dont have a few days off when they're not sick. GP's (and other dr's working for the NHS) are only obliged to issue notes for social security purposes after a week, from days 1 to 3 you only need tell your employer you are sick and 4 to 7 a self certificate available from your employer (in theory). Med 3 (as it is known) should only be used for statutory sick pay purposes only - so if you cant have ssp (or incapacity benefit) your dr isn't required by law to do so (although most will for a fee). If this confusing that's because it is! Basically you can have a week off without a sick note ie 7 days in a row including usual days off

[Hans_Olo]

PS Hope you get well soon