With the rise of telemedicine, online sick certs are becoming increasingly common now-a-days. Many employers who get these online medical certificates, wonder how to check their validity.
Let’s learn how employers verify an online sick cert, and what they can and cannot do when confirming the authenticity of the sick cert.
How Employers Can Verify an Online Sick Cert
Employers in the Ireland and EU can easily confirm the authenticity of an online medical certificate using simple verification process:
1. Check the Doctor’s Registration
A medical certificate clearly displays the doctor’s registration with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) or the relevant EU authority. Employers can verify this information through public registers that the doctor is currently licensed to practice.
2. Confirm Document Authenticity
Employers can confirm the authenticity of the document using different verification mechanisms, such as scanning the QR code, or check link.
You can also verify the reference number on the sick cert by using the verification service provided by the issuing platform—to confirm that the note exists in their system.
3. Confirm the Certificate Details
Make sure the employee’s name, issue date, and length of absence aligns with the reported illness period.
4. Contact the Provider for Verification
If needed, you can also contact the provider of the certificate for verification. Many services offer a verification route for employers, like a helpline or email address for verification queries.
Note: Employers should also check their company’s policy about when a medical certificate is required e.g after 1, 3, or 5 days, and whether online certificates are accepted.
What Employers Can and Cannot Ask
While employers are entitled to check the authenticity of a sick cert, they must still respect medical privacy and employment law.
Here’s what employers usually can and cannot do:
Employers Can Ask:
- That the note is by issued by a registered doctor
- The doctor’s registration and qualifications
- The period of absence and issue date
- The certificate was issued through secure, official channels
Employers Cannot:
- Ask for the details of medical condition and diagnosis
- Overrule or challenge a doctor’s medical judgement
- Refuse a valid medical certificate without a legitimate reason
- Discriminate among employees for using online consultation
The Bottom Line
Online sick certs are legitimate when issued by a registered and licensed doctor. Employers in Ireland and the EU can easily verify the authenticity through official registration checks, reference codes, or secure verification links—without breaching employee privacy.
