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Original poster

Sick note for one day?

42 replies

IMWang · 26/12/2019 11:39

I started with what I thought was a cold yesterday and as the day progressed I got worse. I was shiverring, sweating, dizzy and unable to stand up without holding onto a wall, my chest hurt and I started vomiting. I've not felt this ill in a long time. I was due to go to work today but I felt so bad that I had to call in sick. I'm a cleaner and it was a 4 hour shift. I work in a care home so didn't want to pass it on to any vulnerable residents. There's signs all over saying if we have any sickness or flu like symptoms to not come in.

I've never called in sick before and I would never call in sick with just a cold. I'm genuinely so ill.

Just got a phone call from my manager saying because it's the Christmas period I have to get a doctor's note. She said there are different rules for working in a care home at Christmas and I've got to to to the GP and pay for a sick note for one day or I'll be disciplined.

I've looked at my contract and it says nothing of the sort. It just says you can self certify before 7 days and then have to get a sick note after 7 days.

Surely they can't enforce this? I'm so worried now.

OP posts:

TheReluctantCountess · 26/12/2019 11:41

I don’t think that can be right, and it would be a waste of a doctor’s time to sort that out for one day, especially over Christmas time.
Do you belong to a union where you could ask for some advice?

3rdNamechange · 26/12/2019 11:42

Self certify for 7 days. As you say it does not say different in your contract. They have to realise people are ill over Christmas, and it's good not to pass on to elderly residents.

ItsGoingTibiaK · 26/12/2019 11:43

I’m not an expert but it sounds like bollocks to me.

www.gov.uk/taking-sick-leave

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Badabingbadabum · 26/12/2019 11:48

I think you'd struggle to find a doctor to do that. They can't issue notes for less than a week.

CallmeAngelina · 26/12/2019 11:48

I think what they mean is they don't believe that you're really sick.

NeighbourPooNameChange · 26/12/2019 11:49

It sounds like it’s not a legal requirement but maybe local policy? Not that I have a clue.

Was it Christmas Day? Do you h thy ink they don’t believe you and that’s why? Are you still sick and have you called in today? You won’t be able to get to a Dr for ages. Would you get a note for a week ago if you’re already better? Sounds stressful and I hope you’re better and get it sorted soon x

😕

Crinkle77 · 26/12/2019 11:58

A colleague of mine recently had to get a doctor's note as they were off sick during strike action. The doctor did a retrospective note for less than 7 days and they didn't charge so they will do.it but it will probably depend on the doctor.

Original poster

IMWang · 26/12/2019 12:02

Christmas Day was my day off. I started with it Christmas morning and just thought it was a cold. I spent most of the day laid on the couch and didn't even eat my Christmas dinner! I've been up most of the night throwing up and just having a terrible time. I called in sick at 5am this morning so give them plenty of notice. So it's just been today that I'm off sick.

It's not like I'm just at home having a good time. I'm laid on the couch with the sick bucket

OP posts:

HappyHammy · 26/12/2019 12:05

I would call head office and.ask if there is one.

Freddiefox · 26/12/2019 12:22

I’d tell them to take me down the discliplinary route, theres no legal requirement to get a sick note for one day and I’m not sure your go would give you one for one day.
A complete waste of the resources, gps and your time.

CallmeAngelina · 26/12/2019 12:52

Good luck with finding a GP open today.
They're being ridiculous.

Chihaha · 26/12/2019 12:56

Ridiculous, is today the only day you work this week though? Just not sure how you know you'll not be in tomorrow?

You're right not to go in, older adults are more vulnerable to coughs and colds and things like winter vomiting can cause complications in the elderly.

Sewrainbow · 26/12/2019 12:56

Nonsense, they can't enforce that and I doubt there are separate rules for care homes.

You were right to protect the residents from such a nasty bug.

TheLittleBrownFox · 26/12/2019 13:05

How does she expect you to provide a sick note for one day? I'd bet my bottom dollar that no NHS GP would do that, they'd all tell you to self certify for 7 days. A private one might but will cost a small fortune and good luck finding one today.

I'd write back to her that you've tried your GP, they say they won't, and to self certify for 7 days, therefore you do not believe there is anything else that you can do to fulfill her request for a sick note.

IF she pursues disciplinary action poi t out your contract and that you do not believe your actions to be in breach of it and ask her to show you the Christmas sickness policy and evidence that you've been given a copy and agreed to it.

I'd be amazed if it were to be legal, given that GPs won't issue it.

Original poster

IMWang · 26/12/2019 13:14

I worked Monday and Tuesday, off Wednesday and was supposed to work today and I'm back in on Saturday. I only work 4 days a week. I'm hoping I'll feel better by Saturday so it'll literally just be one day off sick.

I've never called in sick, I always help them out when they ask and I'm a hard worker so I don't understand why they're being so funny about it

OP posts:

MostlyChocolate · 26/12/2019 13:19

Maybe just play ball and pay for one, I think they're about a tenner. Agree you shouldn't have to but pick your battles? All the best xxx

Original poster

IMWang · 26/12/2019 13:23

@MostlyChocolate thats what I'm thinking but I'm not sure if my GP is even open or if they'll give me one even if I pay! I'll have to phone them tomorrow and see

OP posts:

ColdCottage · 26/12/2019 13:26

Agree with PP you can self certify for 7 days. If they try and discipline you for this the speak to Citizen's Advice, they should be able to suggest some good websites which could help you.

Ambrose2 · 26/12/2019 13:27

If you are still being sick today then it will be less than 48 hours before work on Saturday so take that off too. They might be less inclined to think your skiving if you take the right amount of time off for infection risk

eeyore228 · 26/12/2019 13:28

From a legal standpoint you self certify for 7 days. After this period you are required to get a doctors note.

dappledsunshine · 26/12/2019 13:31

GP practices are not open until tomorrow op- it's an out of hours service today.

I don't think your employer can force this issue, I would ask to see the sickness and absence policy. If it's not mentioned there then she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

yellowallpaper · 26/12/2019 13:40

You need to be 48 hours free of sickness and diarrhoea before returning to work anyway. I think the home manager is making it up.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 26/12/2019 13:42

You can legally self certify a sick note for the first week of absence in any job. Doctors will not supply you with a more before a week has passed. After that you can request a doctors note should you still be ill. Hope you feel better soon

Cornettoninja · 26/12/2019 13:45

Try not to take it too personally. Employers/companies seem to have decided that because a few people take the piss everyone is lying fakeymcfaker if they dare phone in ill.

This is obviously not the case for you but it’s really unfortunate that you’ve gotten sick over Christmas. It’d be treated with the same suspicion of it were a Monday, before/after annual leave etc if that’s how your manager chooses to behave. Basically your management team/company are twats.

You have no obligation to get a sick note, you can self-certify for seven days (this would include your days off) and then a GP would write you a note; mostly because if you were ill for seven days you probably need a doctors intervention in some capacity.

If your work want ‘proof’ they have options - they can either pay for a private note since you have zero obligation to provide one or they can refer you to their occupational health department if they have one (a waste of everyone’s time for one short episode of sickness).

If your fortunate enough to to be in a position (sick pay or you can cope with losing a couple of days pay) to stay off on Saturday too I would, there’re are no medals for forcing yourself back to work before you’ve recovered.

Do keep in mind that if you’ve been there less than two years then they can terminate your employment for pretty much no reason but do consider they won’t be too quick to do this since replacing you is likely to cost money and take up time. You don’t have much power but ultimately if you’re otherwise a reliable member of staff there is an element of them needing you more than the hassle of replacing you.

VerbenaGirl · 26/12/2019 13:47

It is so not fair on the NHS to ask for this. Self certify and explain to your employer that you have met with all requirements if they try to discipline you.

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