Should I/ Can I go back early from sick leave?

safesound

I've been off work this week with the flu, which turned quite nasty about mid week so I went to the Doctor and was signed off until Christmas day (prescribed Antibiotics + Steroids). I have the week between Christmas and New Year booked off as I work in Retail and didnt have a day off over the festive period last year (so got preference for this year).
Anyway to get to my point, I feel really really guilty about taking Monday Tuesday and Wednesday off as its going to be so very busy. I dont like the idea of leaving my colleagues a pair of hands down (I'm a hero ) especially as I'm aware of how suspicious it looks me falling ill a week before a weeks holiday BUT I'm technically still on a Doctors sick note for those three days.
Does anyone know if I can work them? Is H&S an issue? What about SSP? If I work those three days how would the work out pay (SSP or wages?)
Obviously I'll ring work on Monday morning and see if they need me or have any objections to me returning early but I just wondered if anyone could think of any valid reason they may say no or indeed whether I'm just being a paranoid idiot and should just sit back and enjoy the extra time off.

justmarried06

Hi - I think this needs to be your call depending on how you really feel and that it's not just the guilt making you feel bad enough to go back to work early.

I believe that with a doctors certificate it is possible to 'sign yourself back' to work - basically it's like waivering your rights to the remaining time off that cert would have given you (but people feel free to correct me if I'm wrong/out of date?)

However, the big caveat is that some companies will not allow people to do this as they would look at it that if you've been signed off it's for good reason and they'd rather have you completely well than not feeling great and potentially making yourself worse again leading to even more time off.....

To be honest I'd probably make the most of the extra time off and get some bits done round the house ready for next Thurs & Friday - but I do understand the guilty feeling!

Feel better soon and have a fab Christmas!!!

JM x

dmg24

Yes, H&S is an issue. It is quite possible that your employer will not be insured for you if you work whilst covered by a med cert.

Enjoy your time off!

trishandbubs

safesound wrote: »

I've been off work this week with the flu, which turned quite nasty about mid week so I went to the Doctor and was signed off until Christmas day (prescribed Antibiotics + Steroids). I have the week between Christmas and New Year booked off as I work in Retail and didnt have a day off over the festive period last year (so got preference for this year).
Anyway to get to my point, I feel really really guilty about taking Monday Tuesday and Wednesday off as its going to be so very busy. I dont like the idea of leaving my colleagues a pair of hands down (I'm a hero ) especially as I'm aware of how suspicious it looks me falling ill a week before a weeks holiday BUT I'm technically still on a Doctors sick note for those three days.
Does anyone know if I can work them? Is H&S an issue? What about SSP? If I work those three days how would the work out pay (SSP or wages?)
Obviously I'll ring work on Monday morning and see if they need me or have any objections to me returning early but I just wondered if anyone could think of any valid reason they may say no or indeed whether I'm just being a paranoid idiot and should just sit back and enjoy the extra time off.

Im sure your work will understand with you having flu and im sure they wouldnt want to risk getting it for Christmas. Im sure thats one christmas present they wouldnt be thankful for :rolleyes:. Plus if you still dont feel right then you wont be much use to them anyway. That said if you are feeling alot better but still under the sick note you will need to go back to your doctor to get him to sign you fit for work again but it might be difficult to get to see the doctor for this.

Sorry not much help, hope your feeling better soon

Horace

If you decided to go back to work before your sick note had expired, you wouldn't be covered by your employer's insurance should something happen to you. You have been signed off for a reason and I very much doubt that your employer would thank you for spreading the flu around the rest of the work force.

The only way in which you would be able to return to work early is to go back to the doctor and ask him to sign you fit for work. No need for heroics - your colleagues are probably working overtime to cover for you anyway. Take the time off to fully recover and then go on yours hols.

SomeBozo

If you are off work ill and covered by a sick note, the only a (proper) employer will take you back is if you go back to the docs and get him to sign you back on.

Bozo

jfdi

Call work! I went back a week early once (I was off sick for 7 weeks, but had a note for 8!) and they were glad to have me, and as I felt fine I was covered, or so they said!

Horrible being off if you feel OK to go back!

notlongnow_2

I thought a Dr has to sign you back to work if they had already signed you off.

Were you diagnosed with flu? it seems you are lucky to get over it so quick as it generally takes weeks. Or was it a cold and chest infection? (you say you have anti biotics which wouldnt help with flu virus). Reason I ask is that your Gp is more likely to sign you back to work early if the anti b's are working for a chest infection.

A wise person once told me when I used to drag myself into work...' you dont any brownie points for being here when you are ill'. Advice I have followed although thankfully I am rarely ill. If you are contagous then stay away as your colleagues wont thank you for catching something from you. Take a break, get yourself well and enjoy your time off.

Scousebird_2

You would not be covered by your Employers Liability Insurance if you go back to work whilst signed off. You will have to get your GP to sign you ''back on'', however, GP's generally give you time for a reason so be sure it won't affect your antibiotics working by ''overdoing'' it and going back to work. No matter how guilty you feel, your colleagues should understand if you are poorly. If I worked with you, I wouldn't be upset if you were off because you are clearly genuinely ill!

Hope you feel better soon xx

Oldernotwiser

If you work in retail, think how many people you'll come into contact with in this time. Do you really want to be responsible for giving them all some nasty bug, spoiling their Christmas at best and threatening their lives at worst. Stay off and be thankful you're getting better, there are people who could die from what you've had.

Paparika

You need to make sure you are full recovered before going back to work, i took a few days off last week as i fell with the nasty lurgy and suffered this week for it when i returned to work, spent the last 5 days feel really ill.