Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides to small and medium businesses to ensure appropriate self-certification processes are in place for employees registering sickness absence.

Employees must notify their employer when they are absent from work due to sickness. Employers may set out expectations to their employees around notification and evidence that should be provided for sickness absence as long as this is reasonable and complies with relevant legislation.

Employees may be asked to provide evidence of their sickness for Statutory Sick Pay purposes. Employees who are off sick for seven days or less do not need to provide a fit note and can self-certify their absence.

Guidance for employers and employees on taking sick leave, including self-certification, is available on GOV.UK. Employers can ask their employees to complete HM Revenue and Customs’ SC2 form to self-certify sickness absence.