Sick Cert Question please

Rab19

Hi All,

I don't post in this part of the forum much, but I know how helpful you all are . . .

I've been off sick since the end of October & last week the GP certified me able to return to work on a phased basis on 16th January & I had a meeting with HR on Thursday last week to inform them. However . . . . HR have now said that as Occupational Health cannot see me until tomorrow, I have to return to my GP & extend my sicknote for another week, as they cannot put me back to work until I've seen Occ. Health.

My query is, if my GP has already certified me, why should I have to extend my sick leave just because my employer cannot get me to see their own Occ. Health Department? It will surely be increasing my sick days and be detrimental to my record!

Any advice please?


Rab x

bluenoseam

It's unfortunate circumstance, but they're surely covering themselves from a liability standpoint, your GP will consider you fit for work based on your description of duties but Occ. Health should have a breakdown of your duties and will inform your employer of any consequences (stuff like risk of fatigue setting in sooner), if they're busy then it's just a case of having to play the waiting game, when i returned i was 10 days between me saying to my boss i was ready to come back to work before an HR meeting could be arranged. It was then a further 3-4 days before i actually started, according to both HR & my boss it wasn't a negative impact on my record as those days were as a result of administrative purpose (i.e. arranging transport from London to Ayr and suchlike) - you likely have a valid explaination should any potential employers question your sickness record so you would just add that there was a small delay in returning to work due to waiting on this appointment.

Googlewhacker

Because your employer does not have to accept the Dr's recommendations of a phased return as you are not fully fit to do the job and can add in their own conditions to do it.

ILW

Rab19 wrote: »

Hi All,

I don't post in this part of the forum much, but I know how helpful you all are . . .

I've been off sick since the end of October & last week the GP certified me able to return to work on a phased basis on 16th January & I had a meeting with HR on Thursday last week to inform them. However . . . . HR have now said that as Occupational Health cannot see me until tomorrow, I have to return to my GP & extend my sicknote for another week, as they cannot put me back to work until I've seen Occ. Health.

My query is, if my GP has already certified me, why should I have to extend my sick leave just because my employer cannot get me to see their own Occ. Health Department? It will surely be increasing my sick days and be detrimental to my record!

Any advice please?


Rab x

You have been off for over two months. Another few days is not going to make your record look any worse.

Uncertain

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Because your employer does not have to accept the Dr's recommendations of a phased return as you are not fully fit to do the job and can add in their own conditions to do it.

Yes but if they don't accept the Dr's recommendations then they must treat the OP as off sick so I don't see that another certificate is needed. They have in effect already got one!

t0rt0ise

What they are asking is for your GP to lie and say that you aren't fit for another week when you are. The GP will likely refuse.

Googlewhacker

Uncertain wrote: »

Yes but if they don't accept the Dr's recommendations then they must treat the OP as off sick so I don't see that another certificate is needed. They have in effect already got one!

Good point!

Jinx

Rab19 wrote: »

Hi All,

I don't post in this part of the forum much, but I know how helpful you all are . . .

I've been off sick since the end of October & last week the GP certified me able to return to work on a phased basis on 16th January & I had a meeting with HR on Thursday last week to inform them. However . . . . HR have now said that as Occupational Health cannot see me until tomorrow, I have to return to my GP & extend my sicknote for another week, as they cannot put me back to work until I've seen Occ. Health.

My query is, if my GP has already certified me, why should I have to extend my sick leave just because my employer cannot get me to see their own Occ. Health Department? It will surely be increasing my sick days and be detrimental to my record!

Any advice please?


Rab x

If your GP has said amended duties then thats fine, but its a recommendation and the company dont have to accept your GPs guidance, hence the occ health visit and not allowing you on site until then; its support for you and covers them. Since your Dr has said amended duties ie not fully fit to take up full duties then you should have no issue getting another fit note.

Yes you will increase your sick days but its still one absence but more days. If your company are known to withhold company sick pay then they shouldnt for the days when they are not allowing you to attend work.

Rab19

Thanks for all the replies guys - my GP has written me another certificate, but to clarify, he originally confirmed I was able to return to work on a phased basis - not changing my role or that there were certain aspects of my position that I couldn't carry out.

Ahhh well - had the Occ. Health appointment & he's also cleared me for a phased return - just got to hope that the HR woman actually gets back to me about where & when I'm going back to on Monday!

Thanks again peeps


Rab x x

Emmzi

after 2 months off your record is already shot. I would be more concerned about getting proper support. I find your priorities very odd.

Rab19

In which way please Emmzi? I want to return, I asked to return earlier but wasn't allowed to by my GP - now I AM allowed to return, my employer wanted me to wait a week longer! Surely it would be in their best interests also to get me off of sick pay?

HR and Occ Health are trying to support me & I am returning on Tuesday, however they're looking to move me sideways into a different role. I don't mind, I just don't want to be sitting around at home anymore.

Rab