Sickness Absence Policy: What UK Employers Need to Cover

What a sickness absence policy covers

No law requires a written sickness absence policy, but ACAS lists what an absence policy covers. ACAS states that a policy covers how planned absence is booked and unplanned absence is reported, pay during absence, any trigger point system, keeping in touch, disability-related absence and return to work.

ACAS also lists involving a recognised trade union, or consulting worker representatives where there is none, and training managers to apply the policy.

An employee can be asked to report sickness within the employer's own deadline, or within 7 days if none is set. The employer cannot insist on notice in person or on a special form.

Sick pay rules for 2026/27

Under the statutory sick pay rules for 2026/27, statutory sick pay is £123.25 a week or 80% of the employee's average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. Since 6 April 2026, statutory sick pay is paid from the first full day of sickness, and the lower earnings limit no longer applies, so all employees can qualify.

Statutory sick pay is paid for qualifying days, which are the days the employee normally works, for up to 28 weeks. Spells of sickness 8 weeks or less apart are linked. A day does not count as a sick day if the employee worked a minute or more before going home sick. Average earnings are usually worked out over 8 weeks.

Statutory Sick Pay rules for 2026/27

Rule	Detail
Weekly rate	£123.25 or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
When it starts	From the first full day of sickness (waiting days removed 6 April 2026)
Earnings test	None: the lower earnings limit no longer applies to SSP
Maximum length	28 weeks
Linked periods	Spells 8 weeks or less apart count as one period
Records	Keep leave and sickness records for 3 years from the end of the tax year

Source: GOV.UK: rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027; statutory sick pay guidance

Self-certification and fit notes

Employees can self-certify for the first 7 calendar days of sickness. If an employer wants medical evidence for those days, the employer pays any fee.

An employer can ask for a fit note after more than 7 days of sickness in a row, including non-working days, but cannot withhold SSP because a fit note arrives late.

Fit notes can be issued by a GP or hospital doctor, a registered nurse, an occupational therapist, a pharmacist or a physiotherapist, on paper or digitally.

Medical evidence for sickness absence

Length of absence	Evidence
Up to 7 calendar days	Employee self-certifies (form SC2 or the employer's own form)
More than 7 days in a row	Employer can ask for a fit note
Who can issue a fit note	GP or hospital doctor, registered nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist
"May be fit for work" options	Phased return, altered hours, amended duties, workplace adaptations

Source: GOV.UK: statutory sick pay notice and fit notes; DWP fit note guidance

Keeping in touch and long-term absence

ACAS says the employer and employee agree how often to keep in touch, by what method and with whom, depending on the person's circumstances. ACAS says absent staff are told about promotions, redundancies and reorganisations, because leaving them out can be discriminatory.

Before any dismissal for long-term sickness, ACAS says an employer takes steps to avoid it, looks at a changed role or phased return, and must make reasonable adjustments if the employee is disabled.

Records and the wider picture

Employers must keep records of employee leave and sickness absence for 3 years from the end of the tax year they relate to. The penalty for incomplete records can be up to £3,000.

The ONS put the UK sickness absence rate at 2.0% in 2025, with 148.8 million working days lost, or 4.4 days per worker. In June to August 2026, 2.74 million people aged 16 to 64 were economically inactive because of long-term sickness, according to the ONS.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sickness absence policy a legal requirement?

No law requires a written sickness absence policy. ACAS lists what one covers, including reporting, pay, trigger points, keeping in touch, disability and return to work.

How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026/27?

Statutory Sick Pay in 2026/27 is £123.25 a week or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. It is paid from the first full day of sickness for up to 28 weeks.

When can an employer ask for a fit note?

An employer can ask for a fit note after more than 7 days of sickness in a row, including non-working days. For the first 7 calendar days employees can self-certify.

How long must sickness records be kept?

Sickness records must be kept for 3 years from the end of the tax year they relate to. The penalty for incomplete records can be up to £3,000.

Can an employer contact staff during sick leave?

Yes. ACAS says the employer and employee agree how often to keep in touch, by what method and with whom.