Sick Pay Guide for Employers

Control periods, common illnesses and abbreviations

Control periods (in weeks) for common illnesses

Addiction (drugs or alcohol) 10
Anaemia (other than in pregnancy) 4
Anorexia 10
Arthritis (unspecified) 10
Back and spinal disorders (PID, sciatica, spondylitis) 10
Cold, coryza, URTI, influenza, bronchitis 4
Concussion 4
Corneal 4
Debility, cardiac, nervous, post-op, post-partum 10
Fainting 4
Fractures of lower limbs 10
Fractures of upper limbs 10
Gastro-enteritis, gastritis, D&V 4
Giddiness 4
Haemorrhage 4
Headache, migraine 4
Hernia (strangulated) 10
Inflammation and swelling 4
Insomnia 10
Investigation 10
Joint disorders other than arthritis and rheumatism 10
Kidney and bladder disorders, cystitis, UTI 4
Menstrual disorders, menorrhagia, D&C 10
Mouth and throat disorders 4
NAD immediate nervous illnesses 10
Obesity immediate observation 4
Peptic, gastric, duodenal 4
Postnatal conditions 10
Respiratory illness: asthma 10
Skin conditions, dermatitis, eczema 10
Sprains, strains, bruises 4
Tachycardia 10
Ulcers (perforated) 10
Varicose 10
Wounds, cuts, lacerations, abrasions, burns, blisters, splinters, FB 4

Common abbreviations used on sick notes

CAT – coronary artery thrombosis
CHD – coronary heart disease
COAD – chronic obstructive airways disease
CVA – cerebrovascular accident
D&C – dilation and curettage
D&V – diarrhoea and vomiting
DS – disseminated (multiple) sclerosis
DU – duodenal ulcer
FB – foreign body
GU – gastric ulcer
IDK(J) – internal derangement of the knee (joint)
IHD – ischaemic heart disease
LIH – left inguinal hernia
MI – myocardial infarction
MS – multiple sclerosis
NAD – no abnormality detected
NYD – not yet diagnosed
OA – osteoarthritis
PID – prolapsed intervertebral disc
PUO – pyrexia of unknown origin
RIH – right inguinal hernia
URTI – upper respiratory tract infection
UTI – urinary tract infection
VV – varicose veins