Doctors note whilst pregnant

[Beaky80]

Hi all. I'm 32 weeks pregnant and last week I walked out of work... My Director called me into his office and tore strips off me saying that I had not been doing my job well for months! I tried to stand up for myself but hormones and frustration got the better of me and I began to well up, so I walked out of his office before I burst into tears. I grabbed my handbag and drove home in tears. Once home I text my boss to tell her what the Director had said to me and that I just couldn't take that kind of stress. She didn't even reply. I got a doctors appointment and he signed me off with work-related stress for 2 weeks. I phoned boss to tell her and she was not very supportive or sympathetic. My concern is what the doctors note says. If it says stress related to work will they use this against me or shall I get the GP to change it to pregnancy-related? I just don't want work using things against me. When I go back in 2 weeks time I will only have 4 weeks left at work before I go on maternity leave. Any HR professionals know what the sick note should say?

[WhyHasAllTheRumGone]

I'm no expert but I think if ur off with pregnancy related sickness after the 32 nd week then your employer can force you to start your maternity leave straight away?

[Beaky80]

I've been told that if its four weeks before baby is due. So I due to go back 6 days before my 36th week of pregnancy.

[OhTheRoses]

If it's pg related mat leave starts automatically from 36 weeks. If not pg related it doesn't.

Have you been doing your Job well? If so, this may be sex discrimination. Do you have evidence of doing a good job: Testimonials, previous appraisals, no evidence of conversations about improvements, etc.

[Hodooooooooor]

GP can't change it to pregnancy related when it isn't.

You walked out of work because your performance was criticised? Surprised your dr gave you a cert at all.

[Beaky80]

I'm just worried that if it says pregnancy related then they will not take the stress at work seriously and the Director will get away with making unfounded accusations and reducing me to tears. But on the flip side where it says work related stress then I am not protected by it being pregnancy related and they can add this to my sickness record.

[Beaky80]

Unfounded criticism completely out of the blue. Stress had been building at work anyway with long hours and too much pressure.

[Hodooooooooor]

It either is pregnancy related or it isn't, you don't get to decide which is more advantageous to you.

[Bugsylugs]

Will be added to sickness record anyway. Lost a post.
Stress you just return to work as per work policy, if work related stress is more of a pest for work they have to follow certain things and steps one may be to have an occupational health assessment etc.
Am surprised a GP has put work related stress to be honest as it is not clear cut yes work may be some but obviously pregnancy may be as well but what is written is written now

[Beaky80]

Just had a glowing appraisal! Been finding long days and work load getting to me the further along my pregnancy professed but always worked hard. Think boss putting his stress onto me which I can't cope with at the moment, but maybe I could have done if not pregnant and hormonal?!

[Bugsylugs]

From what you have just written sounds more like pregnancy related but you must have said something for GP to write work related. Can't be changed

[Beaky80]

I haven't handed in note yet... My GP would amend it if I asked. To be honest I think it's a mixture of work related stress and pregnancy!

[Bugsylugs]

Only put work related if proven as has lots of implications for the work place which may or may not be good for you. GP shouldn't change it to be honest

[lougle]

Surely the sick note should say exactly what the reason for your absence is? It should be truthful.

Your maternity leave will start automatically if you are off sick from work for any reason to do with your pregnancy from 36 weeks onwards.

[lougle]

Also, it's not a sick note any more, it's a fit note, so you could consider whether you would be able to continue at work if your hours were shortened? You DR could then write that s/he feels you should only do an 8 hours day or something like that, to allow you to continue working.