Do I have to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if the employee doesn’t provide a sick note?
Understanding your obligations when employees are off sick without medical evidence
You may still need to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), depending on the length of the employee’s absence and what evidence they provide.
📝 Fit Note Requirements:
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First 7 calendar days of sickness:
Your employee does not need to provide a fit note (sick note). They can self-certify during this time. You can ask them to complete a self-certification form or provide details of their absence informally (e.g., via email or internal form). -
From the 8th day of absence onward:
You are entitled to request a fit note from a GP, hospital, or other healthcare professional. If the employee does not provide a fit note from the 8th day, you are not obliged to pay SSP for that period unless there’s a valid reason for the delay.
✅ Best Practice for Employers:
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Ask your employees to confirm their sickness and expected return date in writing (especially for short absences).
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Keep records of absence and any communication for compliance and audit purposes.
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You can create a self-certification form or download HMRC’s template to formalise this.
📌 For official government guidance, visit:
Gov.uk – Employer's Guide to Sick Pay