Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Allow self-certification of illness for up to 28 days, rather than 7 days.
Closed
65 signatures
What the petition asks
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a worker could self-certify for up to 28 days of an illness, rather than just 7 days. We would like Government to reintroduce the 28 day certification rule.
We think sickness certification is a large administrative burden on employers, healthcare providers, and citizens who are ill. There are many instances of illness where citizens do not need to visit a GP or other healthcare provider, but require more than 7 days to recover. Access to a GP appointment within 7 days is rare due to pressures on the NHS. We think citizens feeling they must consult their GP within a certain time frame for a Fit Note adds further unnecessary pressure to this system.
Timeline
| 30 Jan 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Jul 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
65
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
30 Jan 2025
Closed
30 Jul 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 17 Aug 2026.