Question

[Kitty1979]

Hello

I just wondered something :) if I phone in sick from work and mention I'm going to the doctors, then don't actually go to the doctors buuuuut tell them I did (long story) can they legally check up on what I have said?x

[Mamyalynne]

Extremely unlikely. patient confidentiality etc

[cazzz1975]

I doubt they would check up ..

[factor-fiction]

They can seek a copy of your medical records though (although they'd need your approval) but this is very unlikely unless they are monitoring your absences closely and are seeking to catch you out.

[Eve]

If there is a potential issue (eg they are suspicious you have lied about being off sick or something like that) and are asking you to prove it then it might put a bit of a different slant on things in the general interests of keeping your job.

[milly143]

Why would you tell them you are going to the docs? If it's just one day then just tell them you're not well. Telling them you are going to the docs is too much info. Nobody (well some people) goes to the doctor on the first day of being ill. They'll know you're lying.

Just tell up you've been up all night with the runs. They won't ask for any more details.

[Canary42]

Basically you want to know if you can get away with lying to your employer. But Heaven forbid that they behave unethically ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[grasscarp]

Why would they want to "legally" check up. If you are making an excuse for not going to work if you only do it very rarely there should not be a problem.

[carlton23]

Emloyers are used to women staying away with `Women Problems!!! ,,,so they don`t want to know the details.

[saxy_jag]

As people have said, your employers can't access your medical records without your permission. However, if you take more than five days then you have to get a doctor's certificate.

As Milly says, all your employer needs to know for now is the nature of your illness or injury. I can't remember whether there's a question on the employer paperwork that asks whether you saw a doctor, but if that's the case, your answer could have knock on effects in the future.

Give your employer information on question by question basis. If they don't ask for it, don't give it.