help with time off work and being unpaid please

redsquarelady

Hi, hope this is in the right place...
I'm asking on behalf of my boyfriend..
In December last year he was signed off sick for 2 weeks with depression. Within those 2 weeks he should have gone back to either get another sick note or feel well enough top go back to work. His depression was that bad that he didn't return to the doctors to get another sick note. we work for the same company and i informed them that he would be off for another week (3 in total) So the 3rd week isn't covered with a note from the doctors. In his pay for this month he has 2 weeks sick pay and a week minused off his contractual pay (37.5 hrs)
Can anyone tell me if this is correct? I know the 3rd week isn't covered with a note but wouldn't he be entitled to ssp?

Many thanks for your replies

kazwookie

I have no idea about the ssp.

But why not get your b/f to ring his dr if he cannot get there and see if they will issue a sick note to cover the extra week/s

sammyjo1979

I doubt it, not if his company pays sick pay.
Is he fully fit now?
You maybe able to speak to your GP about possibly getting the sick note from back then.
Good luck..... depression is an awful thing x

redsquarelady

thanks for your replies. I didn't think doctors issued back notes. Its worth a try. I just thought it was strange they can just minus a weeks pay, but then he didn't go to work.

Uncertain

Normally you can self certify for the first week but if your illness extends longer then you need a doctor's certificate.

In his case, if I understand correctly, this was back to front.

I suspect his rights are limited. Probably best to ask the firm nicely, explaining that he misunderstood the procedure and suggest that the "bottom line" is the same as if he had taken a week then the doctor gave him two more.

Re SSP, I would have thought he could fill in a self certificate form for the third week but maybe special rules apply if it joins on to period covered by a doctor's certificate.

BERFFRO

Wouldn't a self cert be sufficient for the days not signed off from Dr? Hope your B/F is better, As stated by sammyjo depression is an awful thing

sammyjo1979

They can minus him a weeks wages because he didn't give a sick note. They are saying that if he hasn't got a note then he was fit enough to be back in work.
As for the back dating, a lot won't, but that does depend on your OH medical history. If depression is something he has suffered with before then the likeliness is that they may do it for you.

Uncertain

redsquarelady wrote: »

thanks for your replies. I didn't think doctors issued back notes. Its worth a try. I just thought it was strange they can just minus a weeks pay, but then he didn't go to work.

I doubt the doctor will (or is allowed) to backdate. How can he know if your BF was too ill to work a week ago. The doctor examines you then advises (if appropriate) that you should refrain from work for XX days. With some complaints you might be rolling around in agony today but were 100% fine yesterday..........

sammyjo1979

Uncertain wrote: »

I doubt the doctor will (or is allowed) to backdate. How can he know if your BF was too ill to work a week ago. The doctor examines you then advises (if appropriate) that you should refrain from work for XX days. With some complaints you might be rolling around in agony today but were 100% fine yesterday..........

Depression isn't the same as other illness though. My OH was signed off with depression for 2 years. One day he was suicidal, a couple of days later you wouldn't have thought anything was wrong. It can hit at anytime. If his medical record shows ongoing depression issues then they may be able to help...

redsquarelady

thanks for everyones replies.
He is better at the moment, but this is an on going thing rather than just a one off. He just seems to be worse sometimes.

dmg24

TBH I would be grateful that the employer is not taking disciplinary action, as the third week could be classed as unauthorised absence.