Self certification

Key features for self-certification

The following is recommended when using self-certification:

• Use it for sickness or injury (or for permission for other time off work) when employees or workers have taken 1 to 7 days of absence. Require them to get a fit note from their doctor (or other qualified medical practitioner) if they are off sick for 8 or more consecutive days.
• Ask your employee or worker to complete Form SC2 and return it to you. You can do this by sending them the link to the form on GOV.UK.
• Check the form and if their declaration appears unsatisfactory, ask further questions about their illness or injury, such as whether they have visited their doctor. Verify it with their doctor, if necessary, to establish if it is genuine. Doing this consistently for every employee or worker can help deter malingering.
• Keep the completed form in a safe place and confidential. Information about health needs more protection under data protection laws, so limit who can access it.
• Inform staff about the self-certification scheme and create rules regarding its enforcement, such as the consequences of failing to complete a self-certification form or making misleading or false statements on it.
• Ensure that managers are aware of how the scheme works, including how to operate and enforce it.
• You may need an appeal procedure to deal with disputes about any decisions to withhold sick pay or take disciplinary action under the terms of the scheme.

Where sickness absences are frequent or lengthy, consider requiring employees or workers to undergo independent medical examinations and/or obtaining a medical report from their doctor/medical professional. You will need their written consent before doing this and they will be entitled to see a copy of any report before you receive it.