Medical Certificate (Fit Note)

If a period of illness is longer than 7 calendar days, you must provide a doctor’s certificate to cover the period from your absence to your return to work. The certificate (Statement of fitness to work commonly referred to as a Fit Note) may provide suggestions to aid your return to work, therefore it is essential that the certificate is sent or delivered to a director as soon as possible after receiving it. 

If the GP recommends that some work is possible, we will discuss this with you and fully consider the recommendations.  

However, you cannot attend work while a certificate (Fit Note) states you are not fit for work, regardless of whether you personally feel able.  If the detail of any certificate or Fit Note is unclear (for example it’s illegible) or if we feel that it is necessary and appropriate, we may ask you to provide a new Fit Note clearly stating that you are fit to return to work, before being allowed to do so. 

In cases of a more serious nature or extended periods of illness you may be required either on your return to work or before, to attend a welfare meeting with a director and HR, and/or to attend a medical examination by a medical professional.

In dealing with high levels of absence from work, or if the absence immediately follows or precedes annual leave, we reserve the right to require a Fit Note from the first working day of absence. Where periods of absence are lengthy or appear to be related, we reserve the right to ask for a medical report from your GP and/or request that you visit a nominated medical professional (i.e., Occupational Health) at the Company’s expense.