Self-certification of illness

Employees can take time off work if they’re ill. They need to give their employer proof if they’re ill for more than 7 days. Patients may self-certify for the first 7 days of illness.

Form SC2: this is the standard form for self- certification. However its use is optional since many employers use their own forms for their employees to notify sickness.

Form SC1: this is available for specific categories. It's use has been restricted since 1990 to:-

• the self-employed
• the unemployed
• employees who are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay
• patients who have specific medical treatment eg radiotherapy, dialysis.