Sick Note Overlapping Self Cert Period

Avani

Hello

I have a friend that called in sick last monday (23rd) due to stress. They called the docs on Tuesday (24th) to arrange a fit/ sick note for when his self certification period ends (5 days) and due to a really busy doc surgery, he was given the option of a cancellation that day or an appointment in 2 weeks. Due to needing a fit note commencing Tues (31st today) -he went with the appointment on that day (24th) The doctor wrote on the date of issue as that day but left the 'to' and 'from' day blank and said it starts from the day the self certification ends. My friend didnt fill in the blank dates as he wasnt sure if this would void the note. But his employers are saying it started from the Tues 24th to Tues 31st as that was the date of issue and that he must come back tomorrow. He certaintly is not fit for work, but now cannot get another apointment in time to cover him from tomorrow onwards.

Is this information from the employers correct?

bendix

How do you get sick 'due to stress'?

Avani

Panic attacks, fever, adrenaline rushes, being sick, loss of appetitite, the shakes... it differs per person. Why?

Googlewhacker

it will be from the date the Dr issued it I would have thought, he shouldn't have told the employer that he went to the dr but then on the other hand he could have got in trouble for altering a sick note if he did put his own dates in.

ohreally

Is the stress caused by work or some other matter?

Avani

Yes he didnt want to put his own dates in as thought it would void the note. But was told by the doctor that it would start from end of self certification... I think it was a case of the doctor being busy and not being bothered to work out the dates. But of course my friend dare not write on the note.... but like I say, the employer has said it started from Tues to Tues.

Hmmm, I think the best way forward is for him to book another appointment with the doc. He is certaintly in no state to work. He has never been signed off before and of course, wants to make sure he is doing everything by the book.

Savvy_Sue

IIRC, there are a couple of options on the Fit Note, the GP can either say 'from / to', or 'for x weeks', or 'until'.

If he put no dates in at all, then why does the employer think he is due back on 31st?

I'd suggest your friend phones the GP and asks what he intended. Mine was pretty good at not filling them in right too!

Googlewhacker

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

IIRC, there are a couple of options on the Fit Note, the GP can either say 'from / to', or 'for x weeks', or 'until'.

If he put no dates in at all, then why does the employer think he is due back on 31st?

I'd suggest your friend phones the GP and asks what he intended. Mine was pretty good at not filling them in right too!

To be fair I think that is a fairly reasonable presumption to say that if he is signed of for one week it is from the date that the OP's friend saw the DR, if the Dr meant any different then he should have signed it differently.

bendix

Avani wrote: »

Panic attacks, fever, adrenaline rushes, being sick, loss of appetitite, the shakes... it differs per person. Why?

Because I'm highly sceptical when I hear stories of people being off work for stress. Stress is a part of life - it's normal. If work didn't involve stress, it wouldn't be work.

Sometimes I think modern society is so soft, it's shameful.

The pendulum has swung too far.

saintjammyswine

bendix wrote: »

Because I'm highly sceptical when I hear stories of people being off work for stress. Stress is a part of life - it's normal. If work didn't involve stress, it wouldn't be work.

Sometimes I think modern society is so soft, it's shameful.

The pendulum has swung too far.

But when that 'normal' stress becomes too much for someone to cope with because of unfair, unreasonable or downright illegal demands from an employer, or external stresses such as debt, family issues a mental condition can manifest itself into physical symptoms that cannot simply be shrugged off. I am not saying that is the case here but it is common and a serious condition. Often linked to depression which is more widely recognised.

Evilm

If you can't get an appointment its possible that the doctor can be passed a message and will write out another note with dates to cover him. I know that our doctors will write further sick notes without having to see you in certain circumstances.

And they can backdate them too so it would cover from Tuesday onwards.