going back to work after being off sick - doctor?
Discussion
My mate reckons that when you have been off work sick for say 2 weeks and have been signed off work with say depression that you have to get a 'back to work' form or something or see your doctor but i have never heard of this.
out of interest what is the position here.
lets say he was off work sick from 1st october 2010 to 14th october when his sick note ran out. So, he turns up at work after his sick note runs out and management welcome him back and all is well. my mate still reckons you need a back to work note signed and if its not signed then despite you being back at work your employer can choose not to pay you.
surely this is b
ks!! help appreciated.
out of interest what is the position here.
lets say he was off work sick from 1st october 2010 to 14th october when his sick note ran out. So, he turns up at work after his sick note runs out and management welcome him back and all is well. my mate still reckons you need a back to work note signed and if its not signed then despite you being back at work your employer can choose not to pay you.
surely this is b
ks!! help appreciated.You'd have to have a very poor relationship with your employer for them not to pay you for actually being at work! Sounds like crap.
Employer should do a return to work that includes checking you're ok to do your job once you've been off for something serious- to protect themselves as much as anything, and nip any innapropriate skiving in the bud.
I've heard of a "fit note" but not sure of the actual usage
Employer should do a return to work that includes checking you're ok to do your job once you've been off for something serious- to protect themselves as much as anything, and nip any innapropriate skiving in the bud.
I've heard of a "fit note" but not sure of the actual usage
Erm, you can self certify yourself for upto 5 days i think, after that you are required to provide a doctors note. As to going back to work, i think you have to fill in a back to work form at your employers, and its at their discretion whether or not they send you for a medical. Thats what i can remember anyway
Edited by snowy slopes on Tuesday 14th December 19:49
I worked at on place where we had to fill in a card and could submit to hr, but my current company the emphasis is on the manager to do a return to work form.
Related: We have a policy that after 3 occurrences company sick pay is cancelled for 12 months (they can have statutory sick pay of course). It protects those genuinely I'll, but prevents people having too many sick days, when they're not really I'll.
Related: We have a policy that after 3 occurrences company sick pay is cancelled for 12 months (they can have statutory sick pay of course). It protects those genuinely I'll, but prevents people having too many sick days, when they're not really I'll.
Edited by Glade on Tuesday 14th December 20:22
I had to do a back to work interview with a previous employer, they did it for everyone who had been off for 3 days or more. The manager told me that it was because then they had proof that I had said I was well again, if I went in to work after being ill and then collapsed at work, I could claim they had forced me to return early and sue. The interview involved me telling them what was wrong with me (they also had a note from whoever took the phone call when I called in sick), and then I had to sign under a decleration that basically said I declared myself to be well enough to work.
However other places I have worked haven't done this. I'd get your friend to check his contract and see what it says about sick leave, mine specifically said that interviews would take place if three or more days were taken, other places may state a week, or not both with interviews at all.
However other places I have worked haven't done this. I'd get your friend to check his contract and see what it says about sick leave, mine specifically said that interviews would take place if three or more days were taken, other places may state a week, or not both with interviews at all.
I can only say that where I work ( a national company ) they do a return to work inteview. This includes filling out a "Fit Note" to say you're ready to do your normal job. Unless your spaced out on medication??? I can't see a problem.
When our guys are off we are encouraged to contact our line manager and ask about these types of issues. However, I've never done it myself.
Good luck.
When our guys are off we are encouraged to contact our line manager and ask about these types of issues. However, I've never done it myself.
Good luck.
Dave9 said:
My mate reckons that when you have been off work sick for say 2 weeks and have been signed off work with say depression that you have to get a 'back to work' form or something or see your doctor but i have never heard of this.
out of interest what is the position here.
lets say he was off work sick from 1st october 2010 to 14th october when his sick note ran out. So, he turns up at work after his sick note runs out and management welcome him back and all is well. my mate still reckons you need a back to work note signed and if its not signed then despite you being back at work your employer can choose not to pay you.
surely this is bks!! help appreciated.
As a manager with a major national unionised employer, yes it's bout of interest what is the position here.
lets say he was off work sick from 1st october 2010 to 14th october when his sick note ran out. So, he turns up at work after his sick note runs out and management welcome him back and all is well. my mate still reckons you need a back to work note signed and if its not signed then despite you being back at work your employer can choose not to pay you.
surely this is b
ks!! help appreciated.ks. If you are off sick and the Doctor signs you off for say 4 weeks, you cannot decide after 3 weeks that you are fit enough to return to work. If you believe you are well enough to work yOu need to return to the Doctor first to get get them to certify you are fit for work.
If your certified time has expired you can just return to work.
If your certified time has expired you can just return to work.
NeMiSiS said:
Chrisgr31 said:
If you are off sick and the Doctor signs you off for say 4 weeks, you cannot decide after 3 weeks that you are fit enough to return to work. If you believe you are well enough to work yOu need to return to the Doctor first to get get them to certify you are fit for work.
If your certified time has expired you can just return to work.
Correct, if you have a LIVE sick note you can not return to work until your Dr signs you fit for work.If your certified time has expired you can just return to work.
when I was off sick my employer made me go into work to an 'appeal' meeting but hey ho.
thanks for clearing that up
A few months back I had an operation, the hospital gave me a sick note. When the sick note ran out ** I could not go back to work without a fit note from the Dr **
You friend sounds correct in that he is describing a new system. My employers wouldn;t let me come back to work without the fit note as they probably felt they would be liable if I got injured, it also allowed the Dr to list things I shouldn't be doing.
On the 6 April 2010 the sick note was replaced by the fit note.
Evidence shows that work is generally good for your health and that often going back to work can actually aid a person’s recovery. On the other hand, staying off work can lead to long-term absence and job loss with the risk of isolation, loss of confidence, mental health issues, de-skilling and social exclusion.
The new fit note can help. Doctors are able to advise people who are on sick leave for over 7 days whether, with extra support from their employer, they could return to work earlier.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote/
You friend sounds correct in that he is describing a new system. My employers wouldn;t let me come back to work without the fit note as they probably felt they would be liable if I got injured, it also allowed the Dr to list things I shouldn't be doing.
On the 6 April 2010 the sick note was replaced by the fit note.
Evidence shows that work is generally good for your health and that often going back to work can actually aid a person’s recovery. On the other hand, staying off work can lead to long-term absence and job loss with the risk of isolation, loss of confidence, mental health issues, de-skilling and social exclusion.
The new fit note can help. Doctors are able to advise people who are on sick leave for over 7 days whether, with extra support from their employer, they could return to work earlier.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote/
Chrisgr31 said:
If you are off sick and the Doctor signs you off for say 4 weeks, you cannot decide after 3 weeks that you are fit enough to return to work. If you believe you are well enough to work yOu need to return to the Doctor first to get get them to certify you are fit for work.
If your certified time has expired you can just return to work.
Where are you getting this from? The actual position is that you can return to work early as long as your employer agrees.If your certified time has expired you can just return to work.
NHS website says:
Can I go back to work before the end date on my fit note?
Yes. As long as your employer agrees, you can go back to work or return to your normal duties before the end date on your fit note.
For example, you may want to go back to work sooner if:
•you’ve recovered from your illness or injury more quickly than expected
•your employer can offer you support, to help you return to work
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