When you can take sick leave

You can take sick leave if you’re sick, or you need to look after someone else who is sick or injured. You can take sick leave to look after:

• your partner
• your children if they depend on you
• someone else who depends on you.

If you’ve been injured, sick leave arrangements are different.

Leave if you’re injured

Calling in sick

If you’re taking sick leave, you need to tell your employer as soon as possible that you will not be at work.

Proving you’re sick

Your employer can ask you for a doctor’s certificate to prove you or a family member is sick:

• after you’ve been away for 3 consecutive days
• before you’ve been away for 3 consecutive days if they pay the cost of getting the certificate.

You can choose which doctor you’d like to see.

If you cannot provide a doctor’s certificate or other proof that you’re really sick, your employer does not have to pay you for your sick leave.

Requirements for medical examination