Money Moral Dilemma: Should I return to work early from sick leave, given I'd be paid less?

meknowalot-51

You went to see a doctor/specialist for their advice/guidance and now all you have to do is follow it.The guidance he/she gave you is based on your visit and with them studying your medical history.Let's say for example you ignore their guidance an go back to work after two weeks,collapse due to your condition and injure yourself.If i were the company boss i would sue you for endangering the lives of your work colleages.One final thing,you never said where it was that you studied medicine to become a profesional.

chic_mum027

You should be paid sick pay for any hours ‘not worked’ - so in theory, you will be on full pay.

Ask your GP to issue a renewed sick note with a phased return.

pragmatism

Recovery is not just about being able to work and I would question if full recovery has been achieved if only part time work is sustainable initially. Your doctor has signed you off with the view that return to work is full time as per your contract so I would advise follow the medical advice. You can use the ‘ additional two weeks’ to improve your fitness and activity levels so that returning full time is less of a shift after a month’s break. If you really want to return but as a part timer then that would be as a phased return to be negotiated with your employer using some of your annual leave allowance to cover the time you are not in work. This is best done under medical supervision.

TheBattleofEvermore

Why did you not tell the GP at the time that, based on past experience, you would probably be able to go back part-time after 2 weeks? You could then have been signed off for 2 weeks and either gone back to the GP to get the fit note extended if necessary.

If you are able to work, even part time, then you should be at work, otherwise you are defrauding your employer.

Keep in mind that the amount and/or frequency of absence is a perfectly legitimate factor for you employer to consider when looking at promotion or redundancy.

TheBattleofEvermore

There is nothing stopping you from returning to work before your fit note expires as long as you feel well enough and your employer agrees. The comments posted above about not being insured is nonsense.

horsewithnoname

it’s not a dilemma. You’re signed off by a doctor for four weeks, plus it would disadvantage you to go back early.
How is this even a question?

Ed264

More than one person has stated it's a no-brainer. Enough said!

RealPersonB

If you can work, be honest and work! The fact so many people think otherwise is one of the reasons this country is going downhill. I speak as a foreigner.

jedav

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81972762#Comment_81972762

I was in a position, some years ago, where I was signed off for some weeks after an operation, whilst I working for a large company. When I offered to come back a couple of weeks before the sick note expired I was categorically told by my manager not to, because it could compromise the company's insurance position if anything untoward were to happen.

I suppose that you could approach this in two ways:

• Ask the doctor who signed you off for a medical opinion
• Ask Human Resources at your employer (where available) for their take on the legal position

CapricornLass

If you had an acccident at work while officially on sick leave, your employer would not be covered by their 3rd party liability insurance. They will also have troubles getting it renewed, and will pay a higher premium.

Personally, I would take the 4 weeks and make sure you are properly better. Your GP would not have signed you off for that length of time unless s/he thought you needed it. If you really feel you are able to go back to work, then I think you should speak to your doctor first.

I doubt your employers will think any more highly of you if you went back early, and if push came to shove, will make you redundant without a second thought.