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SICKNESS CERTIFICATION
You will not need a doctors certificate for the first 7 days of any illness. This is law. You are only obliged to SelfCertificate with SC2, available at reception.
This is partly to reduce the need to take up an appointment for a cold just to obtain a certificate.
But employers will sometimes pressure you into seeing the doctor to 'prove' you are ill.
This is really unnecessary, and all doctors make a standard charge of £15 for a Private Certificate, as this sort of service is not covered by the NHS. Your employer should reimburse you.
If your sickness lasts or is likely to last more than 7 working days, you will need to see your GP to provide you with a certificate for you employer.
If you've had an operation, we can fill in a Fit Note without seeing you, if we have had the paperwork from the hospital to show what you have had done. More info
SickNote certification has changed for the first time in 20yrs this April, in an attempt to encourage employers to make adaptations at work to help patients back to work, rather than stay at home and be demoralized for long periods. Similarly it encourages patients to find ways of getting back to work earlier, and to change the Sickness Culture that has crept in in some areas of the UK.
The new Fit Notes (not Sick Notes) can sometimes take a little longer to fill in, especially for areas such as depression or back pain where we GPs are being strongly encouraged to find ways to help patients get back to work, which will help with their morale and well-being. Fit Notes are not automatically filled-in, stamped and given over, but should be carefully discussed and mutually agreed on.
LONG TERM SICKNESS
There are current changes being introduced by the government to help people who were previously signed off long term sick. Click here to find out more.
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PERSONAL INJURIES
we do not wish to discourage you from applying, but be aware that there are many personal injury legal firms out there, offering help and promises, but who are just looking for easy cases that will make them a quick profit.
By offering no win/ no fee, they will take much of your pay-out, if you do get a payout.
Best to choose wisely, and be careful about optimistic promises.
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