How to get a sick note under the new rules

According to the government website, the healthcare professional needs to assess the employee’s fitness for work before giving a fit note.

“If you’ve been ill for over seven days when you ask for a sick note, then it should be given to you for free. However, if you’ve been ill for seven days or less you may be charged by the healthcare professional,” it explains.

“If an employee can’t get a sick note, an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Health and Work Report can be given to your employer too.”

One rule that remains is that employees “do not need to give their employer a fit note or other proof of sickness from a healthcare professional” if they are off work for seven days or less. You can just state that you’re sick via ‘self-certification’.

“The employer and employee will agree on how the employee should do this. They might need to fill in a form or send details of their sick leave by email,” the website continues.

For more information, visit the government website.

Sick leave: how the new changes to UK law will affect you