How do I verify a sick note?

Contact the practice on the certificate, confirm the consultation date and the practitioner's registration. Do not rely on the note's appearance alone.

Are traditional healer certificates valid?

Certificates from registered traditional health practitioners can be valid for sick leave. Verify registration with the Traditional Health Practitioners Council.

Misconduct · Charge Sheet Template

Sick Note Fraud & Falsifying a Medical Certificate Charge Sheet & Hearing Pack

Charge sheet for presenting a falsified, altered or irregular medical certificate or sick note, including traditional healer certificates, under the Sept 2025 Code.

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Step 1 · Offence & Statutory Guardrail Intake

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Offence

2025 Code Offence Guide & Sanction Rule — Sick Note Fraud & Falsifying a Medical Certificate

What must be proven: Verify the certificate directly with the medical practice or clinic; Check the practitioner's registration number and practice number.

First-offence guideline: Dishonesty offences go to the heart of the trust relationship. Verify the certificate with the practice before charging; dismissal is frequently upheld for proven falsification, but a final written warning may be appropriate for a first offence with strong mitigation.

Recommended action mode: Formal Hearing Pack — this offence can justify dismissal for a first offence, so a hearing protects the process.

Example wording: It is alleged that on or about 15 January 2026, you presented a falsified, altered or irregular medical certificate in support of absence from work, in that you as will be set out in evidence at the hearing, thereby acting dishonestly and breaching the trust relationship.

Manager's raw incident notes

Or pick the closest symptom — we configure the charge, alternative and action mode:

Company nameEmployee full name13-digit SA ID numberJob titleGross monthly salary (ZAR)Engagement start date

Incident dateIncident timeLocationSupervisor / Manager name & role

Formal allegation (appears on the charge sheet)

Include Legal Alternative Charge on Charge Sheet

No automatic alternative for this offence. Do not add an unsupported allegation.

Prior warnings on file

None recorded.

Proposed hearing date & time (SAST)Hearing venueChairperson nameInitiator (employer representative)

Employee is a shift/weekend worker (allow weekend hearing times)Include Precautionary Suspension Notice (On Full Remuneration Pending Hearing — LRA s186(2)(b))

Understanding this offence: Sick Note Fraud & Falsifying a Medical Certificate

LRA 66 of 1995; HPCSA ethical rules on medical certificates; Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (Sept 2025).

Standard charge formulation

It is alleged that on or about 15 January 2026, you presented a falsified, altered or irregular medical certificate in support of absence from work, in that you as will be set out in evidence at the hearing, thereby acting dishonestly and breaching the trust relationship.

First-offence sanction guideline: Dishonesty offences go to the heart of the trust relationship. Verify the certificate with the practice before charging; dismissal is frequently upheld for proven falsification, but a final written warning may be appropriate for a first offence with strong mitigation.

CCMA procedural fairness checklist

Verify the certificate directly with the medical practice or clinic
Check the practitioner's registration number and practice number
Compare dates of absence against the certificate dates
Allow the employee to explain any irregularity
Consider whether the employee was genuinely ill before alleging fraud

Guidance only — establish the facts, consider the employee's response, consistency and mitigation. No automatic sanction or guaranteed CCMA outcome.

Standard charge formulation

It is alleged that on or about [DATE], you presented a falsified, altered or irregular medical certificate in support of absence from work, in that you [CONDUCT], thereby acting dishonestly and breaching the trust relationship.

Statutory guidance

Statutory reference	LRA 66 of 1995; HPCSA ethical rules on medical certificates; Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (Sept 2025).
First-offence sanction guideline	Dishonesty offences go to the heart of the trust relationship. Verify the certificate with the practice before charging; dismissal is frequently upheld for proven falsification, but a final written warning may be appropriate for a first offence with strong mitigation.
Category	Misconduct

CCMA procedural fairness checklist

Verify the certificate directly with the medical practice or clinic
Check the practitioner's registration number and practice number
Compare dates of absence against the certificate dates
Allow the employee to explain any irregularity
Consider whether the employee was genuinely ill before alleging fraud

Frequently asked questions

How do I verify a sick note?: Contact the practice on the certificate, confirm the consultation date and the practitioner's registration. Do not rely on the note's appearance alone.
Are traditional healer certificates valid?: Certificates from registered traditional health practitioners can be valid for sick leave. Verify registration with the Traditional Health Practitioners Council.