Work demanding Dr's note for 1 day off

Noble_Savage

My friend was away from work on Monday due to a previously-diagnosed stomach condition. His employers want a doctor's note because he was also away from work on the Friday beforehand (booked holiday) and it's their policy to ask for a doctor's note if someone is off sick immediately after a holiday day.

Obviously, as he was off sick for less than seven days he can't get the normal doctor's note. He can get a private note, however, for which the doctor will charge £15.

I think he should ask the employer to pay this - it's their policy after all. Do others agree? (And, more to the point, is there anything online I can direct him towards?)

Undervalued

Noble_Savage wrote: »

My friend was away from work on Monday due to a previously-diagnosed stomach condition. His employers want a doctor's note because he was also away from work on the Friday beforehand (booked holiday) and it's their policy to ask for a doctor's note if someone is off sick immediately after a holiday day.

Obviously, as he was off sick for less than seven days he can't get the normal doctor's note. He can get a private note, however, for which the doctor will charge £15.

I think he should ask the employer to pay this - it's their policy after all. Do others agree? (And, more to the point, is there anything online I can direct him towards?)

It is perfectly reasonable to ASK them to pay for it and most employers will but there is no legal requirement for them to do so.

Realistically he has no redress should they refuse.

Poppie68

I don't think there is anything to say employers must pay for private sick notes if their policies require there employees obtain one.
In my opinion it should be the employee who pays as they are the ones who were off sick. What does your friends contract say?

Bantex_2

Noble_Savage wrote: »

My friend was away from work on Monday due to a previously-diagnosed stomach condition. His employers want a doctor's note because he was also away from work on the Friday beforehand (booked holiday) and it's their policy to ask for a doctor's note if someone is off sick immediately after a holiday day.

Obviously, as he was off sick for less than seven days he can't get the normal doctor's note. He can get a private note, however, for which the doctor will charge £15.

I think he should ask the employer to pay this - it's their policy after all. Do others agree? (And, more to the point, is there anything online I can direct him towards?)

Does he get sick pay?

Noble_Savage

Poppie68 wrote: »

What does your friends contract say?

It doesn't mention it at all.

Noble_Savage

Bantex wrote: »

Does he get sick pay?

Yes, he does get sick pay.

WestonDave

I suspect the point of the exercise is that the employer knows it costs money and will be hassle to obtain, and that therein lies the deterrent to taking a day off, getting hammered and then phoning in sick the next day. A sick note obtained for a one day absence that he has now recovered from is a bit pointless in itself but the deterrent has some value.


On that basis I suspect the chances of the employer paying are slim!

tea_lover

He can self certify for the first seven days. A fit note is needed after this.

This site has more info http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1062.aspx?CategoryID=87&SubCategoryID=87

DomRavioli

Has he filled in the self certification on here - https://www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave ?

That may well cover him; also direct the employer to that page.

Noble_Savage

WestonDave wrote: »

I suspect the point of the exercise is that the employer knows it costs money and will be hassle to obtain, and that therein lies the deterrent to taking a day off, getting hammered and then phoning in sick the next day. A sick note obtained for a one day absence that he has now recovered from is a bit pointless in itself but the deterrent has some value.


On that basis I suspect the chances of the employer paying are slim!

Heaven forbid someone should genuinely be ill....:(

Undervalued

tea_lover wrote: »

He can self certify for the first seven days. A fit note is needed after this.

This site has more info http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1062.aspx?CategoryID=87&SubCategoryID=87

Yes, that is generally OK for SSP purposes.

However, for company sick pay the employer can have whatever requirements they like.