Swine flu - self-certification and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Self-certification

Under existing rules, employees can self-certify for the first seven days of their illness. Employers cannot ask for medical evidence (including medical certificates) during the first seven days of absence. There has been no change to this requirement.

If employees are ill for more than seven days, employers can ask for reasonable evidence that they are not able to work. Employers have the flexibility and freedom to decide whether they need any evidence and what evidence is acceptable – this does not have to be a medical certificate.

During the swine flu pandemic, employers are being asked to consider other evidence - instead of a doctor’s certificate - as proof of an employee's illness, to help reduce the burden on GPs. Employers are also free to decide to extend the self-certification period for their employees, if they feel this is appropriate.

Employers who operate an Occupational Sick Pay scheme and have their own rules about sickness evidence are also being encouraged to operate similar measures.

Statutory Sick Pay

No changes have been made to the rules for payment of SSP during the outbreak of swine flu. The normal rules still apply.

Further information

• Further information for employers on the Business Link website (opens new window)
• Employers may also want to read or point their employees to the information on the Directgov website (opens new window)
• Some employers may also find the information for GPs on the Department of Health website of interest (opens new window)