Sick leave without a medical certificate

A sick leave certificate records that a clinician assessed your health and found a need for time away from work for a stated period. It is different from simply telling a manager that you are unwell. A clinician cannot usually certify an illness they have not assessed, and a certificate may not cover dates that were never discussed. Workplace procedures may also specify who can issue it and how it must be submitted. A GP Consultation can provide an opportunity to discuss symptoms, function, and the duties your role involves.

Check your employer’s written sickness procedure and ask which document is required, when it is due, and whether an absence declaration is acceptable. Tell your manager promptly that you are unwell and keep a record of the dates you could not work. If you need clinical assessment, arrange a consultation and describe when symptoms began, how they affect work, and any treatment already tried. Do not alter a certificate yourself; ask the issuing clinic to correct an error. The Sick Leave Certificate page explains the purpose of this document.

Arrange medical care when illness is worsening, stopping you from carrying out basic activities, or lasting longer than expected. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pressure, sudden weakness, confusion, or thoughts of self-harm. Work paperwork should not delay emergency treatment. If exhaustion, detachment, or work-related distress is persistent, discuss it with a clinician; Burnout may need a broader plan than time away alone.

Ask whether your symptoms support time away from work, what recovery activities are reasonable, when you should be reviewed, and whether you need a certificate or another clinical letter. Clarify whether a follow-up is needed before returning to your usual duties.