Notice period

AmyT81

Good afternoon.

First of all (just to give a bit of background), I've been in my current job for just over four months after being made redundant from my previous employment. I knew it wasn't really something I was going to enjoy but it was a job and I needed one so I took it!

Anyway, I have now been offered a new job with a start date of 7th January 2013. My current notice period is only a week so I handed in my letter of resignation last Friday and planned to finish at the end of this week. I know I'm not starting my new job for a while but I want to spend some time with my two year old first! The company were fine with this and wished me all the best.

Unfortunately, I have been off sick all of this week so far with a severe throat infection. I have phoned in each morning as per the policy and my manager has been ok with me. However, this afternoon HR left me a message explaining that I now "owe" them three extra days of work to cover the time I've had off sick (i.e. my employment now finishes on Wednesday next week). Can they really ask/demand this of me? I know the timing of my illness isn't great but there's not much I can do about it and, legally, I am allowed to self-certify myself off sick for a certain amount of time (although my doctor can provide a note if it's needed). It's worth mentioning that I'm not actually getting paid for being off and it's the first occurrence of sickness since I've been there.

I'm not sure if I'll be well enough to return to work tomorrow but I feel a bit forced into it now. I'd appreciate any advice as I'm at a bit of a loss!

InsideInsurance

How many days have you been sick (not how many days you've been off work)?

They cannot make you work it, if you self cert or need a fit note depends on the above answer.

At the same time, these guys will be doing your references for the next couple of jobs your going to be getting.... is it worth ending up with a bad note for the same for 3 days?

AmyT81

I have been unwell since Sunday (so four days in total). I visited my doctor on Monday and was given a form to self-certify myself for up to seven days.

If I need to work to avoid a bad reference I will. I just wanted to know if this was a usual request!

InsideInsurance

It isnt, but then people pulling a sickie to avoid notice isnt unusual either.

Ultimately up to you but question if its worth an annoyed HR department for the sake of a few days work... sometimes "rights" need to be balanced against aggro/ common sense etc

AmyT81

I guess I can understand where HR are coming from. It's just a bit frustrating for me because I know I am genuinely sick.

As I previously mentioned, I'm fine to work a few extra days to keep them happy. I suppose it's lucky that I'm not starting my new job straight away!

The whole thing just came as a shock as it was only this morning my manager mentioned how I only had two days left with them!