A valid medical certificate according to the Medical and Dental Professions Board should include the following:

• Name, address and qualification of the medical practitioner.
• Name of the patient.
• Employment number of the patient.
• Date and time of the examination.
• Whether the certificate is issues as a result of personal observation or as a result of information received from the patient.
• Description of the illness ( the patient may withhold consent to declare illness).
• Capacity to which the patient is able to perform duties or perform less strenuous duties.
• Exact period of sick leave and date of issuing certificate.
• Clear identity of the medical practitioner who issued the certificate which must be personally signed by the practitioner.

Where employees visit practitioners on the third day of illness and the doctor completes the sick note ”I was informed of the sickness by the patient”, the employer does not have to accept or honor this certificate, and may regard time taken off as unpaid leave.

It is important to note that only and employee who is genuinely sick to work, may claim sick leave.

If the employer is able to prove that the employee was not sick, disciplinary steps may be taken against the employee.