My employer asked for Drs note - cost?

Werdnal

I work in catering and the company have just introduced non-slip safety shoes for all staff. I have a problem with my left leg - contracted achillies - which means I cannot wear flat soled shoes. The shoes I currently wear for work are service industry approved, and "slip-on" type with a wedge heel, so suitable for the job. Spoke to my supervisor today, and she advised I need a Drs note to confirm my exemption from the safety shoes. Going to phone surgery when the open in a mo, but just wondered whether there is a cost involved in getting a Drs note - suspect there is as no-one does nothing for nothing these days!

Any advice please?

diesel_dog

I'm not sure how you'd stand (excuse the pun) with a Doctors note, but have a look on here as they do a good range that may be suitable for you:-

http://www.sfceurope.com/uk/?leads=google_shoes_for_crews&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=England_Trademark

You may be able to get them cheaper elsewhere. I have the safety shoes and they are comfortable for everyday use

LadyMissA

Werdnal wrote: »

I work in catering and the company have just introduced non-slip safety shoes for all staff. I have a problem with my left leg - contracted achillies - which means I cannot wear flat soled shoes. The shoes I currently wear for work are service industry approved, and "slip-on" type with a wedge heel, so suitable for the job. Spoke to my supervisor today, and she advised I need a Drs note to confirm my exemption from the safety shoes. Going to phone surgery when the open in a mo, but just wondered whether there is a cost involved in getting a Drs note - suspect there is as no-one does nothing for nothing these days!

Any advice please?

private notes from my Doctor are £20 and always has been

funguy

Yes notes such as these will incur a cost from your doctor as they are not covered by the NHS. Approx cost is as stated above in most practices although will differ from practice to practice. As this is not NHS work, doctors are entirely within their rights to refuse to do letters such as these if they feel they are not able to comment or do not have enough time to do a letter.

An alternative is for your company to refer you to their occupation health doctor (if they have one) or to an independant occupational health doctor for a similar letter - However they almost never suggest or do this as it costs significantly more than £20 - £30.

Werdnal

diesel_dog wrote: »

I'm not sure how you'd stand (excuse the pun) with a Doctors note, but have a look on here as they do a good range that may be suitable for you:-

http://www.sfceurope.com/uk/?leads=google_shoes_for_crews&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=England_Trademark

You may be able to get them cheaper elsewhere. I have the safety shoes and they are comfortable for everyday use

#

Thanks for the link, but I already have the shoes the company have issued as a standard, but cannot wear them. They will not supply an alternative, I have my own service industry approved shoes which are suitable for my foot condition - been wearing the same ones since I started in the job over 18 months ago, but change of company policy means they have brought in the standard supply. My supervisor has no problem with me continuing to wear mine, but the company won't budge without a Dr note.

Thanks for other replies. I suspect it would be £20 ish - half a week's wages for me, but needs must!

Judith_W

I think it is worth asking for the money back from the company once you can prove that you need them. Even if they say no, there is a chance they will cough up and you will save yourself £20