employee on sick leave

[dotty.]

the scenario as far as i now it is that an employee is on long term sick but is possibly returning to work soon, today, the employee came into work to drop off the money for the christmas do (that's another issue ) and whilst there decided to help out a colleague for 45 mins as she could spare the time. i'm abit confused and mystified over this, i was not at my own store and so could not actually get involved, but it seems abit strange. Am i correct in thinking that the employee should not have actually been allowed/asked to do any work?

[dotty.]

here's the 'k'

[boxtops]

Yes you are right. People are not allowed to work at all while they have a doctor's note saying they are not fit to do so.

[dotty.]

I know that it is possible to invite an employee to stagger their return to work after an extended absence, but to just 'pop in and decide to give a workmate a lift cos you have the time' sounds very odd.

[boxtops]

It can be done but the GP has to sign you off on a phased return, and the hours and tasks agreed with the employer. You can't just pop in and work when you are off sick.

[THECORBYLOON]

When I was a supervisor we were always telt that if a person returnt to work during the period of a current med cert they would not be covered for insurance purposes so we had to insist on a final med cert. If there had been an accident at work she would not be covered for Industrial Injuries Benefit for example, as she would not have been authorised to do what she had been doing.

[mccfluff]

she should not of been working whilst signed off unless the cert specified they can do certain duties, in which case they should be back at work.