Sick Leave

[SonnyCrockett]

I want to sign off sick for a few weeks due to stress at work, what is the standard procedure for this ? Do they differ with businesses ?

[bednobs]

see you gp, get a sick note, inform work

[woofgang]

yes it differs from business to business. You need to find out what your firm's policy on sickness absence is. For more than a few days, you usually need to be signed off by your GP or your occy health department.

[SonnyCrockett]

when i go GP would they ask how long i wold want to be off for ?

[2sp_]

No, your GP will decide how long you need off. S/He will probably give you a week and then review it.

[granny grump]

Don't you still self certificate for first 7 days and then dr provides a sick note

[bednobs]

no

[237SJ]

You self-certify for the first 7 days and you need a doctor`s note for the time thereafter.

[granny grump]

When did that change?

[SonnyCrockett]

Within the 7 days (before gettting the GP note) would i have to ring in to say I am still unwell and unable to attend ? sorry sounds silly question

[woofgang]

What is your firm's policy on sickness absence? You need to find this out.

[237SJ]

It probably depends how your company works. In my company, I get put through to a department when I go sick so that they can offer 'support' if I need it (probably something to do with duty of care) and then they leave me alone. They certainly wouldn`t want to me to keep phoning them to say I`m still off sick. You don`t need to worry about a doctor`s note until after the 7 days but if you were to go to a doctor before that and they decided that you need to be off for longer than 7 days, they would probably just write you a note for the whole period.

[factor-fiction]

How do you know now that you'll need two or more weeks off? After a week (and maybe sooner) you may feel well enough to return.

[DJHawkes]

did you win a holiday?

[factor-fiction]

How long have you worked there? If it's less than a year they may just take the opportunity to dismiss

[granny grump]

We have to ring in 30 mins before we are due to start work and then daily unless it is obvious that you wont be in in for a few days - It's all about keeping them informed so that they can manage the other staff and workloads - But I'm sure each workplaces will have slightly different rules

[New Judge]

What exactly is wrong with you that prevents you doing your job?

[boxtops]

where I work (NHS) you call in on the day if you are ill, and you can have up to 7 days off before you need a GP note - but if the GP thinks you are ill, he can give you a certificate on day 1. You can't just sign yourself off for longer than a week, not without medical evidence, otherwise you'll be considered to be absent without leave.