A fit note (sometimes called a sick note or medical certificate) is a form from your doctor that explains whether you’re well enough to go to work.
- You’ll usually need one if you’ve been off work for more than 7 days in a row because you’re ill or injured.
- You give it to your employer to explain why you’ve been off and what support you might need.
- You may also be asked to provide a fit note for a benefits claim.
What Will the Fit Note Say?
Your doctor will tick one of two options:
✅ “May be fit for work”
This means:
- You’re still recovering, but you might be able to go to work if your employer (or prospective employer) makes some changes.
- These changes might include:
- Shorter hours
- A different type of task
- Avoiding things like heavy lifting
- Working from home
The employer will decide if they can make these changes. If not, you’ll stay off work until you’re well enough.
❌ “Not fit for work”
This means:
- You’re too unwell to work right now, and need to rest and recover.
- Your doctor will decide how long the note should last for.
- When it ends, you’ll either go back to work or get another fit note if you’re still unwell.
If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days
To request a sick note:
- use the Klinik online service
If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less
If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. We call this self-certification. Your employer may have a procedure for self-certification – otherwise, you can use the gov self-certificate here.
If you’re requesting a fit note for a benefits claim
You do not need to self-certify for 7 days. To request a fit note, use the Klinik online service.
Guidance
Find out more about sick notes on the NHS website.