Sick lines

If you’ve been off sick for 7 days or less

If you’re off work sick for 7 days or less, your employer should not ask for medical evidence that you’ve been ill. Instead, they can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. We call this self-certification.

Find out more about sick notes on the NHS Inform.

If you’ve been off sick for more than 7 days

To request a sick note:

happy on the phone

Working Health Services Scotland

Working Health Services Scotland has a range of resources, guidance and support available to help people enter or remain at work when they are ill, have a disability or suffer from long-term health conditions, and wider signposting to practical support including housing, employment and debt advice.

Page last reviewed: 23 June 2026
Page created: 24 March 2026