New rules coming into force today make it much easier to call in sick to work

It’s hoped the move will see GPs carry out an extra 50m appointments a year by 2024

The government has introduced new rules that could make it easier for you to get time of work for illness.

From today (July 1) rules around who can give you sick note to hand into work have been relaxed, with workers now able to get a sick note from a pharmacist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, registered nurse or hospital doctor.

Previously, it had only been GPs who could hand out sick notes.

The move is designed to relieve pressure off both workers, by making it easier for them to get a sick note, and GP surgeries.

The government website reads: “The healthcare professional needs to assess the employee’s fitness for work before giving a fit note.”

“Fit notes are free if the employee has been ill for more than 7 days when they ask for one. The healthcare professional might charge a fee if the employee has been ill for 7 days or less.”

But there remains no requirement for employees to give their employer proof of sickness from a healthcare professional if they are off work for seven days or less.

You can simply state you’re ill via a process of “self-certification.”

The website explains: “The employer and employee will agree on how the employee should do this. They might need to fill in a form or send details of their sick leave by email.”

From today, more healthcare professionals including nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists & physiotherapists will be able to certify fit notes.

This will:
✅ streamline the process
✅ ease pressure on GPs to help bust the Covid backlogs

Guidance:https://t.co/7n3veWKkAl pic.twitter.com/MW2qT8ISKQ

— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) July 1, 2022

Fit notes are only required if the employee has been ill “for more than seven days in a row and have taken sick leave.”

It continues: “The fit note will say the employee is either ‘not fit for work’ or ‘may be fit for work.’