Do I have to attend a medical examination to get sick pay?

If you get occupational sick pay, any specific requirements for receiving sick pay, such as attending a medical exam, will be set out in your terms and conditions of employment.   

Your written statement of employment particulars, which employers must give workers on or before their first day at work, must specify the terms relating to sick pay, or refer to an easily accessible document which sets out those terms.   

If you only get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), your employer must allow you to self-certificate for the first seven days and can only request medical evidence in the form of a ‘fit note’ after that time. 

For long-term sickness, or frequent short-term absences, your employer may, with your consent, seek a medical opinion from your GP or an occupational health (OH) specialist.   

It is sensible to cooperate with your employer’s reasonable attempts to get expert advice about your medical condition. Otherwise, you risk your employer making decisions about sick pay and your future employment without the benefit of medical input.