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The University of Southampton
Human Resources

Medical fit notes

A medical 'fit note' is the informal name for the Statement of Fitness for Work. Other names used include medical certificate or doctor’s note.

The fit note allows your GP to give you more information on how your condition affects your ability to work. This will help your employer to understand how they might help you return to work sooner or stay in work.

Your GP uses the fit note to advise if you are "not fit for work" or "may be fit for work". It also includes space for your GP to give general advice about how your illness or injury affects you and tick boxes to suggest ways in which we could support your return to work.

Staff absent for more than seven calendar days due to sickness are required to provide their line manager with a medical certificate.

Our guidance below outlines the University policies and procedures to support a fair and consistent approach to management of sickness absence.

Fit notes should be submitted to HR using the Document Upload Request on ServiceNow.

How do I...?

Submit a fit note to HR

Address advice provided by a medical professional in a fit note

Find out more

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