Quick Answer: How Long Can You Self-Certify?
Employees can self-certify sickness absence for up to 7 calendar days (including weekends and non-working days). After 7 days, a fit note from a GP or hospital doctor is required.
| Absence Duration | Evidence Required |
|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | Self-certification (employee's own declaration) |
| Day 8 onwards | Fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work) from a doctor |
What is Self-Certification?
Self-certification is the process by which an employee declares that they were unfit for work due to illness, without needing a doctor's note. It covers the first 7 calendar days of any sickness absence.
Key Points
- The 7 days include weekends and non-working days, not just working days
- Employers cannot insist on a GP note for the first 7 days
- Employers can require the employee to complete a self-certification form on their return
- Self-certification is the employee's own statement — it does not need medical evidence
The Self-Certification Form
While there is no legal obligation to use a specific form, most employers use a standard self-certification form (sometimes called an SC2 form) to capture:
- Employee name and department
- First and last day of sickness
- Nature of illness (the employee can keep this general, e.g., "stomach illness")
- Whether the employee consulted a doctor
- Employee signature and date
Can You Use a Company Form?
Yes. You can create your own self-certification form. Many employers include it as part of their return-to-work interview process.
The HMRC SC2 form is no longer published, but the concept remains. Your company form serves the same purpose.
When a Fit Note is Required
After 7 calendar days of sickness, the employee must provide a fit note. This is a formal medical document issued by:
- A GP
- A hospital doctor
- Certain other healthcare professionals (since July 2022)
Fit Note Options
A fit note can state the employee is:
| Statement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Not fit for work" | Employee should not return until the note expires |
| "May be fit for work" | Employee could return with adjustments (phased return, altered hours, amended duties, workplace adaptations) |
Since 2022, fit notes are issued digitally by the NHS. Employees may receive them by email or through the NHS App.
Counting the 7 Days
The 7-day self-certification window counts calendar days, not working days.
Example — Employee is sick from Monday:
| Day | Calendar Day | Working Day? |
|---|---|---|
| Monday (Day 1) | 1 | Yes |
| Tuesday (Day 2) | 2 | Yes |
| Wednesday (Day 3) | 3 | Yes |
| Thursday (Day 4) | 4 | Yes |
| Friday (Day 5) | 5 | Yes |
| Saturday (Day 6) | 6 | No |
| Sunday (Day 7) | 7 | No |
| Monday (Day 8) | 8 | Yes — fit note now needed |
If the employee is still sick on Day 8, they must obtain a fit note from their GP.
Employer Rights and Obligations
What Employers Can Do
- Require employees to complete a self-certification form on return
- Include self-certification in the return-to-work interview
- Record the absence for Bradford Factor tracking
- Ask the general nature of illness (but cannot demand medical details)
What Employers Cannot Do
- Insist on a GP note for the first 7 days
- Refuse to accept self-certification as valid evidence
- Require employees to disclose specific medical diagnoses
- Withhold SSP solely because the employee self-certified rather than seeing a doctor
Frequent Self-Certification and Absence Patterns
While individual self-certified absences are normal, patterns may warrant attention:
Warning Signs
- Frequent Monday or Friday absences
- Self-certified absence consistently at 6–7 days (just under the fit note threshold)
- Absences coinciding with events, holidays, or deadlines
- Increasing frequency over time
Appropriate Response
- Use return-to-work interviews to have supportive conversations
- Monitor Bradford Factor scores for objective pattern detection
- Offer support (occupational health, EAP) before escalating
- Follow your absence management policy consistently
Self-Certification and SSP
Self-certification is sufficient evidence for SSP purposes for the first 7 days. Remember:
- SSP does not begin until the 4th qualifying day (after 3 waiting days)
- Employers cannot withhold SSP because no GP note was provided for days 1–7
- If the absence exceeds 7 days and no fit note is provided, you can withhold SSP from day 8 onwards
Managing Self-Certification with Grove
Grove simplifies the self-certification process:
- Digital self-certification forms completed by employees on return
- Automatic integration with return-to-work interview workflow
- Fit note tracking with reminders when fit notes are due or expiring
- Absence records automatically updated for Bradford Factor calculations
Get started with Grove to streamline absence evidence management.
Tags:
Rachel Richardson
Head of Growth & Marketing, Grove HR
Rachel leads growth and marketing at Grove HR, with over a decade of experience in UK HR technology. She writes practical guides to help small businesses navigate employment law and build better workplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days can you self-certify sick?
In the UK, employees can self-certify sickness absence for up to 7 calendar days (including weekends and bank holidays). From day 8, a fit note from a GP or hospital doctor is required.
What is an SC2 form?
The SC2 was a self-certification form previously published by HMRC. While the official form is no longer published, the concept remains. Most employers use their own self-certification forms that capture similar information: dates of absence, nature of illness, and employee declaration.
Can my employer refuse to accept self-certification?
No. For the first 7 calendar days of sickness, self-certification is the recognised evidence standard. Employers cannot insist on a GP note for this period and cannot withhold SSP solely because the employee self-certified rather than seeing a doctor.
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