You are entitled to ask for reasonable evidence of incapacity, but should inform your employees of exactly what you want them to produce. For example, you might ask for:
- self certification for spells of up to seven calendar days.
- a doctor's statement for periods after the first seven days (you cannot normally obtain a doctor's certificate for the first seven days).
With employees who have been off long-term, it is reasonable to ask for a medical assessment from their GP, or alternatively to arrange for an independent medical examination.
