Sick Leave at Work

[samjones39]

I'm having a small operation next month. I'll need to have a week off work. Do I have to tell my boss what I'm having done?? Its private and I really don't want him to know.

Can anyone help?? Thanks

[larkin]

No sam, you don't have to disclose what you are having done. Just request the time and get medical certification from your gp if you need it. Doctors will not disclose what the reason for your absence was - will just state 'post-op' on a medical certificate.Request a med cert at the hospital and they should give you one when you are discharged.

[samjones39]

Thank you for you reply, when I spoke to my GP about it he said that the operation and recovery period would be 3 to 5 days (so thinking a week to be on the save side)

My GP said that I would be able to self certify myself. I did ask him if he would give me a sick note and he said he would but only if I need more time off after the 5 days. Did think this was strange but have heard from friends and family that my local practice have been cutting down on sick notes! Hoping me note have a sick note wont be a problem with work?

[shammydodger]

Sam

Self-certification is the norm these days for absences of 5 days or less. In my workplace, this takes the form of a return-to-work "interview", which in practice is simply filling out a form in the presence of my shift manager, including the reason for the absence. In your case, as already stated by larkin, it will be sufficient to state that you have had an operation. Anything more detailed is none of their business.

[spk]

Hi sam you are self certified for 5 days so you will be fine, if you need more time off though nip back to your gp and he can give you a line. Hope it all goes well for you

[samjones39]

Thank you for all your replies. I'm just worried about not having a sick note and my work expecting one. Guess all I can tell them is the truth that my GP has said that the first 5 days are self certified.

[laurence2]

Hi samjones,
You can self-cert yourself upto 7days before you require a sick-certificate, but if you want to play it safe to satisfy your work, ask for a certificate from your GP, that might possibly be a small charge as you are meant to self-cert upto 7 days, your work can ask you what you was of sick for,but your quite with in your rights to tell them it was an operation which you are not willoing to discuss, and they certainly can't ask your GP or the hospital as you are protected under patient confidentially

Hope all goes well with the op