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Original poster

Need sick note for work but can't get through to GP

32 replies

movingmountains73 · 15/01/2025 08:27

Stressing here. I'll try and keep it short.

My job is causing me a lot of stress. My anxiety is through the roof and I can't sleep or eat properly. I'm constantly on edge and just can't relax. I've decided I won't be returning but need to find another job before I can leave. I know I can self certify for 7 days before I need to provide a sick note from the GP. I've been off since last Friday. The issue is I'm struggling to get through to them to book an appointment. You have to ring at 8am which I have been doing since Monday but it doesn't even put me in a queue, just says the reception team are dealing with other calls and to try again later. I have to ring work every morning which is making things worse as I've had to lie and say I've had a stomach bug. I don't want to tell them what's actually wrong until I have the sick note. What am I suppose to do if I can't get a sick note after the 7 days is up? Does anyone know, from an employment perspective what they can do if you can't get one straight away?

OP posts:
Foib · 15/01/2025 08:41

Could you request a sick note through their website? I had to do this a couple of years ago & they sent it back very quickly, I didn't see a gp & just had to email reception if it needed extending

Hurrayakitten · 15/01/2025 08:39

since you are not working, could you walk to the surgery to speak to reception?

Also, is your plan to go off sick until you find a new job and then resign? That's poor. Either you are too ill to work or you aren't.

Doggymummar · 15/01/2025 08:36

Why don't you do a telephone consultation or go to the surgery?

Alwayslurkingsometimesposting · 15/01/2025 08:34

So sorry you're going through this OP- I have the same with my GP and it's horrible. I second the suggestion to turn up in person.

Agix · 15/01/2025 08:32

They can put it down as unauthorised absence. Whether they actually do or not depends on them. I had some time sick last year and some of my fit notes were late, work were totally chill about it.

You might want to go to your GP surgery if you can't get through on the phones though.

TomorrowTodayYesterday · 15/01/2025 08:32

So is your plan to go off sick until you get an offer for a new role then resign?

blobby10 · 15/01/2025 08:29

Apparently you don't have to tell your employer why you are off work - they can ask and you can tell them if you wish but they cannot insist. The words 'I am not fit for work' should be enough. Are there any Employment Law experts out there who can verify this ?