Therapy
15 min read
Written by Megan Moore
Published: Oct 8, 2024
Medically Reviewed by Klarity Editorial Team
Whether you’re dealing with a short-term illness, a chronic health condition, or navigating a long-term disability, at some point, you may need a doctor’s note. A doctor’s note can help protect you as an employee and help you get any accommodations or benefits you deserve.
In this article, we explore when you need a doctor’s note for work and why. We also include templates to use for different situations.
If you’re experiencing a condition that makes it challenging to go about your daily routine, don’t wait for treatment. Find a provider on Klarity Health today.
A doctor’s note is an official document signed by a healthcare professional. It’s sometimes also called a medical certificate, sick note, or fit note. It’s used to verify your medical condition and a need for work modification, time off, or the inability to work at all. A healthcare provider or their staff can write the note or you can write it (or use a template) and have a provider sign it.
Doctor’s notes are used to protect you from potential disciplinary action, such as being put on a corrective action plan, laid off, or fired due to missed work. They can also ensure you receive any benefits you’re owed, like sick leave, disability, or accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They can make the difference between paid and unpaid leave in some cases.
Whether or not you need a doctor’s note depends on your employer’s human resources (HR) department and policies, and where you live. Doctors notes can be used for:
In some states, local laws determine if and when you need a doctor’s note and what it should include. State laws may cover notes for sick leave, family and medical leave, and disability.
Your company’s policies also matter. For example, some companies want a note if you miss a few hours of work, while others only ask for one if you’re absent for a full day or longer. Others won’t ask for one at all.
Employers that want notes can ask you to submit your doctor’s note at different times. Some want one the first day of your absence. Others want one when you return to work. And if you’ll be away for a long time, especially if using Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), your employer may ask for medical certification from a health care provider — aka a doctor’s note.
Different healthcare professionals can write or sign a doctor’s note, including:
Any provider, including a doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor, can provide doctor’s notes for conditions like ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression. This means they can confirm that your mental health condition impacts your ability to work and supports your need for time off and/or accommodations.
In some cases, other medical-related individuals involved in your care, like chiropractors, can also provide or sign a note.
Check your employer’s policies and state laws to verify who you can get a doctor’s note from.
You want your doctor’s note to be clear and concise while including the details your employer requires. Know that doctors don’t have to give details about your health conditions due to privacy laws, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). But they can — and should — confirm treatment dates or date of the visit for an appointment and a condition or injury that affects if and how you work.
Usually, a doctor’s note has the following parts.
Header
The header includes your healthcare provider’s information, such as their name, professional title or accreditation, contact information, and the name of their office or facility. It’s essentially the provider’s letterhead.
Your information
Your name and, in some cases, your birth of date.
The reason for your absence or request
Your doctor can’t share your diagnosis, specific medical information, or details of your treatment plan unless you give permission. But they need to give a general statement about your having an illness or condition. They may say that you had an appointment or are experiencing health challenges. Your doctor’s note should also include dates if applicable.
Medical recommendations, if applicable
Your doctor should include needed work accommodations or modifications if applicable to your needs.
Doctor’s signature
The note should end with a signature from your healthcare provider. Some state laws or company policies require their medical license number too.
To use these templates, simply copy and paste the copy here into a word processing program, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Or download the fillable PDF form below (Adobe Acrobat or a similar PDF solution is needed for an electronic signature). A bonus of using the PDF is that you can download it, fill it out and send it to your doctor for an electronic signature.
Included below are doctor’s notes for work and free PDFs for:
Click the link above to download a fillable PDF or copy and paste the content below.
Healthcare provider’s name:
Practice name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Date:
This letter is to verify that [Your Name] is under my care and will be unable to work for health-related reasons from [Insert Start Date of Absence] to [Insert End Date of Absence].
Feel free to contact me if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
[Doctor’s Signature]
[Doctor’s Printed Name]
Medical license number:
Click the link above to download a fillable PDF or copy and paste the content below.
Healthcare provider’s name:
Practice name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Date:
This letter is to verify that [Your Name] is under my care and will be unable to work due to an injury, illness, or other health-related reasons from [Insert Start Date of Absence] to [Insert End Date of Absence].
[If applicable] Upon returning to work, [Your Name] is advised to [necessary adjustments, for example, work with flexible hours, use of ergonomic equipment, etc.] for a period of [x days/weeks/months] to support their ongoing health needs.
Feel free to contact me if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
[Doctor’s Signature]
[Doctor’s Printed Name]
Medical license number:
Click the link above to download a fillable PDF or copy and paste the content below.
Healthcare provider’s name:
Practice name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Date:
This letter is to verify that [Your Name] is under my care for a condition that requires the following permanent accommodations to effectively perform their job duties: [list necessary adjustments, for example, modified work hours, modified office environment, special diet, working from home, assistive technology, etc.].
Feel free to contact me if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
[Doctor’s Signature]
[Doctor’s Printed Name]
Medical license number:
Taking care of your health while managing a job can be overwhelming. But, having a reliable healthcare provider helps. Find a provider on the Klarity Health platform today. You don’t need insurance. There are no hidden fees. And appointments are often available in as little as 24 hours.*
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
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