How to Get a Fit Note
If you are unwell and your health is affecting your ability to work, you may need a fit note.
A fit note is sometimes called a sick note or Statement of Fitness for Work. It provides information from a healthcare professional about how your health condition affects your ability to work.
But how do you get one, who can issue it, and when do you actually need a fit note?
This guide explains how to get a fit note, when you need one and what to do with it.
What Is a Fit Note?
A fit note is a medical document that provides information about whether your health condition affects your ability to work.
A healthcare professional can assess you and state that you are:
- Not fit for work, or
- May be fit for work with appropriate support or adjustments
A fit note can help you and your employer discuss ways to support you while you are unwell or help you return to work.
When Do You Need a Fit Note?
You generally do not need a fit note if you are off work for 7 days or less.
If you are unable to work because you are ill for more than 7 days, you may need a fit note for your employer.
The 7-day period includes weekends and bank holidays.
For example, if you become ill on a Monday and remain unable to work beyond the following Monday, you may need a fit note.
However, you should still follow your employer’s sickness reporting procedure from the beginning of your absence.
How Do You Get a Fit Note?
The first step is to contact a healthcare professional involved in your care.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get a fit note from:
- A doctor
- A registered nurse
- A pharmacist at a GP surgery, hospital or clinic
- A physiotherapist
- An occupational therapist
The healthcare professional will assess your situation and decide whether you are fit for work, may be fit with support, or are not fit for work.
Can You Get a Fit Note Online?
In some circumstances, yes.
Fit notes can be issued digitally where the healthcare professional and healthcare service support digital fit notes.
You may have an assessment by phone, video consultation or in person, depending on the healthcare professional and your circumstances.
The important point is that you need an assessment from an appropriate healthcare professional before a fit note can be issued.
Can a GP Give You a Fit Note?
Yes.
A GP or another eligible healthcare professional can issue a fit note after assessing your health and how it affects your ability to work.
You should contact your GP practice if you believe you need medical advice and a fit note.
However, a GP is not the only healthcare professional who can issue one.
Who Can Issue a Fit Note?
Current guidance allows several healthcare professionals to issue fit notes.
These include:
| Healthcare professional | Can issue a fit note? |
|---|---|
| Doctor | Yes |
| Registered nurse | Yes |
| Physiotherapist | Yes |
| Occupational therapist | Yes |
| Pharmacist | Yes |
The healthcare professional must be appropriately involved in your care and assess your circumstances.
What Does a Fit Note Say?
A fit note can indicate whether you are:
Not fit for work
This means your healthcare professional believes your health condition currently prevents you from working.
May be fit for work
This means you may be able to work if your employer can make appropriate changes or adjustments.
For example, the healthcare professional may suggest changes such as:
- Different working hours
- Different duties
- A gradual return to work
- Workplace adjustments
The purpose is not simply to say that you are sick. A fit note can also help employers and employees consider ways to support someone at work.
How Long Does a Fit Note Last?
The duration of a fit note depends on your circumstances and the healthcare professional’s assessment.
A healthcare professional can provide a fit note covering the period they believe is appropriate.
If you remain unwell after your current fit note expires, you may need another assessment and further fit note.
You should speak to your healthcare professional if you need additional support or documentation.
What Should You Do With Your Fit Note?
If you receive a fit note, follow your employer’s sickness and absence procedure.
Your employer may ask you to provide the fit note so they can manage your absence and consider any recommended workplace support.
If the fit note says you may be fit for work, discuss the recommendations with your employer.
Your employer may be able to make reasonable changes that allow you to continue working or return to work.
Do You Need a Fit Note for 7 Days Off?
Generally, no.
If you are off sick for 7 calendar days or fewer, you do not normally need a fit note.
However, you should still tell your employer that you are ill according to their sickness reporting procedure.
If your absence continues beyond 7 days, your employer can ask for a fit note.
Can an Employer Ask for a Fit Note?
An employer can ask for a fit note when an employee has been off sick for more than 7 days in a row.
For shorter periods, employers may have their own sickness reporting procedures and may ask employees to follow those procedures.
Importantly, GOV.UK guidance says an employer cannot withhold Statutory Sick Pay simply because an employee is late providing a fit note.
What Happens If Your Fit Note Says “May Be Fit for Work”?
A “may be fit for work” statement means your healthcare professional believes you might be able to work if suitable support is available.
You can discuss the recommendations with your employer.
Possible adjustments could include:
- Reduced hours
- Changed duties
- A phased return
- Workplace changes
If your employer cannot provide the recommended support, the fit note is treated as if it says “not fit for work.”
Can You Get a Fit Note for Mental Health?
Yes.
A fit note can be issued where a health condition affects your ability to work, including situations involving mental health.
The healthcare professional will assess your individual circumstances and decide whether you are fit for work, may be fit with support, or are not fit for work.
You should speak to an appropriate healthcare professional if your mental or physical health is affecting your ability to work.
Is a Fit Note the Same as a Sick Note?
Generally, people often use the terms “fit note” and “sick note” to mean the same thing.
The official term is fit note, and it is also known as a Statement of Fitness for Work.
Unlike the idea of simply proving that someone is sick, a fit note can also explain whether someone may be able to work with appropriate support.
Fit Note vs Self-Certification
If you are off sick for a short period, you generally do not need a fit note.
For an absence of 7 days or less, you can normally report the sickness to your employer according to their procedure without obtaining a fit note.
Once your illness lasts beyond 7 days, your employer may ask you for a fit note.
This is why it is useful to understand the difference between short-term sickness reporting and medical evidence.
What If You Cannot Get a Fit Note Immediately?
If you have been off work for more than 7 days and are having difficulty obtaining a fit note, communicate with your employer and explain the situation.
You should also contact the healthcare professional responsible for your care.
Do not simply stop communicating with your employer because you are waiting for medical documentation.
Your employer may have specific sickness absence procedures that you need to follow.
How Employers Manage Fit Notes
For employers, fit notes are an important part of managing employee absence.
A good HR or payroll process should allow employers to:
- Record employee sickness absence
- Store relevant documentation
- Track absence dates
- Monitor return-to-work dates
- Manage payroll implications
- Maintain appropriate employee records
- Support return-to-work processes
Using an HR system can make absence management easier by keeping employee information and attendance records organised in one place.
Final Thoughts
If you are wondering how to get a fit note, the process starts with speaking to an appropriate healthcare professional involved in your care.
You generally do not need a fit note for an illness lasting 7 days or less. If you are unable to work for more than 7 days, you may need one for your employer.
Fit notes can be issued by several healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Remember that a fit note is not only about saying whether you can work. It can also help you and your employer understand what support or workplace adjustments may help you remain in work or return to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a fit note?
Contact an appropriate healthcare professional involved in your care. They will assess your health and decide whether you are fit for work, may be fit with support, or are not fit for work.
Can I get a fit note from my GP?
Yes. A GP can issue a fit note after assessing your condition and its impact on your ability to work.
Can a pharmacist issue a fit note?
Yes. Certain pharmacists can issue fit notes where they are appropriately involved in your care.
Do I need a fit note for 3 days off work?
Usually not. You generally do not need a fit note when you are off sick for 7 days or less, although you should follow your employer’s sickness reporting procedure.
When do I need a fit note for work?
You may need a fit note when you have been unable to work because of illness for more than 7 days.
Can I get a fit note online?
Fit notes can be issued digitally in circumstances where the healthcare service supports digital fit notes. Your healthcare professional will decide how the assessment and note are provided.
What does “may be fit for work” mean?
It means your healthcare professional believes you may be able to work if appropriate support or adjustments are provided by your employer.
What if my employer cannot make the recommended adjustments?
If your employer cannot provide the support recommended on a “may be fit for work” note, the note is treated as though it says you are not fit for work.
Can I get a fit note for stress or mental health?
Yes. A fit note can be issued when a health condition affects your ability to work, including mental health conditions. A healthcare professional will assess your individual circumstances.
