Self-Certify

An employer is obliged under the Social Security Act 1992 to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for the first 28 days of absence if the employee has been incapacitated for four or more working days. Employees self-certify for the first seven days of absence but thereafter a statement of fitness to work ('fit note') should be sought from the employee's doctor.

Statutory Sick Pay can generally be recovered by an employer through deductions from National Insurance Contributions.