Reporting sickness as a teacher

Tell your school as early as its absence policy requires, normally before the school day starts so cover can be arranged. The Burgundy Book, the national agreement for teachers in England and Wales, adds two firm cut-offs for sick pay: notification by the fourth working day of absence and a fit note by the eighth day. Miss them and your entitlement to sick pay is at risk. Report on day one if you can, and read them as the last allowed days.

What the Burgundy Book says

Paragraph 8.1 of the sick pay scheme in the June 2023 edition says a teacher is not entitled to sick pay unless:

• notification is made to the employer as may be required, no later than the fourth working day of absence
• a fit note is supplied no later than the eighth day of absence
• a new fit note is supplied when the current one expires
• in a prolonged or frequent absence, you attend any examination the employer requires by an approved medical practitioner
• you declare any entitlement to social security benefits, and tell the employer if that changes

The words “as may be required” let your school set earlier or more specific reporting rules in its absence policy, such as a phone call to a named person by a set time on the morning.

For how much you are paid, see teachers’ sick pay.

Self-certification and the fit note

For the first seven calendar days you can self-certify. Acas and GOV.UK both say that no medical evidence is needed for that period, although the employer may ask you to confirm the absence when you are back. Weekends and bank holidays count towards the seven days.

After that you need a fit note from a registered healthcare professional. The fit notes guide covers who can issue one and what “may be fit for work” means. Under the Burgundy Book you must send the next fit note when the current one runs out. If you go into hospital or a similar institution, a statement or fit note on entry or discharge replaces the periodic notes.

Medical examinations

If your absence is prolonged or frequent, the school can require an examination by an approved medical practitioner. The Burgundy Book says you do not pay for it, and that your own doctor may be present if you ask. See the occupational health referral guide for what happens.

Illness during school closures

Sickness during school closures does not reduce your sick leave entitlement, because the Burgundy Book counts two half school days as one working day and does not count closure periods against you. If you fall ill in a closure and would be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay, you must notify your employer as if the closure days were working days, so they can pay SSP or make the right deductions. The SSP guide explains eligibility.

Accidents and assaults at work

If you are absent because of an accident, injury or assault that arose out of your employment, the Burgundy Book allows full pay for up to six calendar months, subject to self-certificates, doctor’s statements or fit notes from the day it happened.

Returning to school

Acas says you should have a return-to-work meeting to check you are fit and see what support you need. If a fit note says you may be fit with changes, such as a phased return or reduced timetable, the school should discuss what it can offer. The teaching workload guide explains what you can reasonably be asked to cover on return.