For absences that are less than 7 days duration, an employee can self certificate and must declare reasons for their absence.

An absence lasting for more than 7 days must be certified by a hospital or doctor. The reasons given can be as detailed or as vague as they need to be. However dependent upon your organisations sickness absence/managing attendance policy if you have "excessive" (within the parameters of your organisations policy) sickness absence then you may be asked to be referred to an Occupational Health Unit, or be called for an interview with the Human Resources Manager/Officer.

If the organisation has to make decisions about your employment due to medical/sickness absence issues, they can only do so on the information available to them. Therefore decisions may go against you if you do not mention something, which may alter or affect their decision-making.

You also need to mindful that the employer has a duty of care to you under health and safety at work regulations. Therefore if the reasons for your absence together with the type of work that you do put you at any risk then your employer has a right to remove you from this or make reasonable adjustments to reduce the risks.

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