From 17th December the DWP temporarily increased the self-certification period for sickness absence from 7 days to 28 days, to enable GPs to focus on the booster programme.
This means that employees will not be required to provide their employer with medical evidence of sickness absence for the first 28 days of absence. Statutory Sick Pay will be payable during this period where an employee meets the other qualifying conditions. This applies to any sickness absence which begins on or after 10 December 2021, up to and including any absences which begin on or before 26 January 2022. The self-certification period will then revert back to 7 days for any absences which begin on or after the 27 January.
For periods of absence that are more than 28 days, a fit note will still be required from a GP.
