Sick leave and new job...

MissDVL

Hi all

Was just after a bit of advice really!

I am currently signed off due to work-related stress, and have been for the past 6 weeks. I have been looking for a new job and have finally got one today (yay!). I am wondering if a) it is perfectly acceptable to resign whilst off sick (I am not due back to work for another 10 days, and therefore would only effectively be working 2 and a half weeks' notice), b) I can hand my notice in tomorrow (being a Sunday...I work in a hotel which is a 24 hour business so the weekend shouldn't affect it, but my manager may not be there depending on her shifts?) and c) if I hand my notice in tomorrow, but don't go back at all and therefore break my contract, what can they do about it?!

On a slightly different matter, I also volunteer in a completely different capacity and have been doing so whilst being off sick, as it is nowhere near as stressful as my day job. I assumed there was nothing wrong with me doing so until someone mentioned to me the other day that I may not be insured if something were to happen to me in my volunteer role? Can anyone shed any light on this?

Many thanks

Mischa8

MissDVL wrote: »

Hi all

Was just after a bit of advice really!

I am currently signed off due to work-related stress, and have been for the past 6 weeks. I have been looking for a new job and have finally got one today (yay!). I am wondering if a) it is perfectly acceptable to resign whilst off sick (I am not due back to work for another 10 days, and therefore would only effectively be working 2 and a half weeks' notice), b) I can hand my notice in tomorrow (being a Sunday...I work in a hotel which is a 24 hour business so the weekend shouldn't affect it, but my manager may not be there depending on her shifts?) and c) if I hand my notice in tomorrow, but don't go back at all and therefore break my contract, what can they do about it?!

On a slightly different matter, I also volunteer in a completely different capacity and have been doing so whilst being off sick, as it is nowhere near as stressful as my day job. I assumed there was nothing wrong with me doing so until someone mentioned to me the other day that I may not be insured if something were to happen to me in my volunteer role? Can anyone shed any light on this?

Many thanks

I have no idea about notice whilst off sick but if you are working in same area (hotel) how do you know the stress will be less than it is now?

I would be extremely careful if current work finds out re you volunteering if you are meant to be signed off sick.

But no idea re notice or being insured.

OneYorkshireLass

[deleted - i knew i must've read this wrong!]

McKneff

If you are too sick to work you are too sick to work anywhere

Sorry, and I know the charity who you work for will be the loser but you shouldnt be working full stop.

If you were an employer, would you be happy about it, I know I certainly wouldnt, specially as I would be paying your sick pay. Lots of people think sick pay is claimed back from the government, it isnt unless you are a small company.

Hand your notice in tomorrow, speak to them say, you arent sure whether you will be given another sick note even when this one expires, they may just say to you leave when you want
. I always feel its best to be honest. It gives them the chance to replace you earlier rather than later.
Good luck in your new job.

Savvy_Sue

MissDVL wrote: »

On a slightly different matter, I also volunteer in a completely different capacity and have been doing so whilst being off sick, as it is nowhere near as stressful as my day job. I assumed there was nothing wrong with me doing so until someone mentioned to me the other day that I may not be insured if something were to happen to me in my volunteer role? Can anyone shed any light on this?

I think that would depend on the insurance cover at your volunteer place: you'd have to ask them (and they'd probably have to check with their insurers). I can see an argument that if an accident happened in which you were in some way at fault, that being signed off sick might indicate that you weren't fit to be there.

It could also be a breach of your company's T&C: I've been proof reading a proposed new staff handbook which states categorically that you must not work elsewhere while signed off sick, UNLESS there's been specific agreement that this would be beneficial. I'm not sure whether it's intended to cover voluntary work elsewhere: I must check ...

MissDVL

Mischa8 wrote: »

I have no idea about notice whilst off sick but if you are working in same area (hotel) how do you know the stress will be less than it is now?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean here, are you referring to my new job, my volunteer work or going back to work my notice? My new job is in a completely different capacity so no worries there. My volunteer job again is completely different, and going back...to be honest I don't want to go back at all, even knowing I only have two weeks left, because before I left it was at the point where I would end up in tears before my shift was over, it was that bad. Hence my last question in OP

Mischa8

MissDVL wrote: »

I'm not entirely sure what you mean here, are you referring to my new job, my volunteer work or going back to work my notice? My new job is in a completely different capacity so no worries there. My volunteer job again is completely different, and going back...to be honest I don't want to go back at all, even knowing I only have two weeks left, because before I left it was at the point where I would end up in tears before my shift was over, it was that bad. Hence my last question in OP

Yes I was referring to your new job but you've cleared that up.

I still do not see (and other replies reflect this) how you can do voluntary work whilst off sick then you try to justify it. IMO you are lucky your current work do not know re voluntary or you'd be whining here about being sacked.

Mischa8

MissDVL wrote: »

I'm not entirely sure what you mean here, are you referring to my new job, my volunteer work or going back to work my notice? My new job is in a completely different capacity so no worries there. My volunteer job again is completely different, and going back...to be honest I don't want to go back at all, even knowing I only have two weeks left, because before I left it was at the point where I would end up in tears before my shift was over, it was that bad. Hence my last question in OP

As someone else said I would just resign too. Best way. You could may well resign whilst sick and avoid working notice but as to if you'd get all your notice pay due to you and unpaid holiday leave etc I don't know.

alonehiker

MissDVL wrote: »

Hi all

Was just after a bit of advice really!

I am currently signed off due to work-related stress, and have been for the past 6 weeks. I have been looking for a new job and have finally got one today (yay!). I am wondering if a) it is perfectly acceptable to resign whilst off sick (I am not due back to work for another 10 days, and therefore would only effectively be working 2 and a half weeks' notice), b) I can hand my notice in tomorrow (being a Sunday...I work in a hotel which is a 24 hour business so the weekend shouldn't affect it, but my manager may not be there depending on her shifts?) and c) if I hand my notice in tomorrow, but don't go back at all and therefore break my contract, what can they do about it?!

On a slightly different matter, I also volunteer in a completely different capacity and have been doing so whilst being off sick, as it is nowhere near as stressful as my day job. I assumed there was nothing wrong with me doing so until someone mentioned to me the other day that I may not be insured if something were to happen to me in my volunteer role? Can anyone shed any light on this?

Many thanks

It doesn't matter if you're working, on holiday, sick, on maternity/paternity, notice is notice, and it's generally just common courtesy. I don't know the relationship you have with your manager, but don't cowardly submit your resignation and hide behind it. If you don't intend going back be honest about it. With all due respect, they'll probably be glad to get you off their books anyway to re-employ.

getmore4less

You can resign anytime,

Depending on the contractual notice you may be entitled to full pay for your notice period.

Being sick for one job and not another is now a possibility as long as the fit note describes what you are not able to do properly.

workplace related stress could well be a fit note to just not go to that one place of work.


Baning all other work while sick in a contract may not be enforcable. probalby depends on other terms relating to working elsewhere and the reasonableness of those and the natire of the fit note.

Plenty of people allready ignore therir contracts relating to other work, by being on PTA, run children clubs, look after other peoples kids, do comittees, volunteer etc. without permission

SueC_2

McKneff wrote: »

If you are too sick to work you are too sick to work anywhere

I beg to differ.

Let's assume I have two part-time jobs. One as an office worker, the other as a postman.

Let's also assume I have a broken leg.

It is perfectly possible for me to continue in the job that involves me sitting at a desk and typing. It is not however possible for me to continue in the job that requires me to walk several miles a day lugging a heavy sack of mail.

The revised Fit Note system is designed specifically to outline which, if any, of your work activities you are fit to carry out.

At the time of receiving said Fit Note, the OP should have discussed both of her roles with her doctor, and they should have decided between them what her current limitations are in relation to both. The employer doesn't get a vote!