Employment - fit notes and sickness absence - Covid 19

As a temporary measure to assist with the Covid-19 response, the Government has relaxed the rules around providing employers with medical evidence to support sickness absence. This is predominantly to ease the pressure on general practices as they deal with the booster vaccinations and is only meant to be a temporary measure. The new rules, which came into effect from 17th December 2021, mean that employees are not required to provide such proof until after 28 days of sickness absence. Detailed guidance can be found at  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fit-note

 

Employees should still comply with the requirements under their contract of employment/sickness absence policy which may contain specific requirements about reporting sickness absence.