Human Resources

If you are unwell and cannot come to work:

• Contact your manager as soon as possible by phone and/or e-mail
• Make your manager aware of your condition and agree when you will next make contact
• If your absence lasts for four calendar days or more up to seven calendar days you need to complete a sickness self-certification form [pdf]. This must be sent to Payroll.
• If your absence is more than seven calendar days you must see a doctor to get a Statement of Fitness for Work (Fit Note). The Fit Note will indicate that you are either:
  • Not fit for work - the doctor has assessed that you should not work for the period indicated
  • May be fit for work - contact your line manager and discuss what options may be available to you. Your line manager will need to discuss this with the Occupational Health Advisor and then an appropriate return to work will be agreed. If no suitable options can be found then the Fit Note should be treated as though you are 'Not fit for work'. You don't have to go back to your doctor in this instance.
• Post your Fit Note to your manager, marked ‘Addressee only’ or hand it to them personally if you are meeting with them
• If you are still ill at the end of the period on the Fit Note, you must see your doctor again and if necessary get a further Fit Note.
• If you are ready to return to work during or at the end of the period specified on your Fit Note you don't need to return to your doctor.
• When you return to work make sure that you have a Return to Work discussion and sign part two of the Sickness Absence Form [MS Word], which your manager will have begun.