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Original poster

How much notice do I need to go off on sick leave?

45 replies

lenii · 09/08/2020 22:25

Due to so many factors, I'm so on the close of a nervous breakdown.

I cannot function at work right now due to the events that have unfolded since Friday night but I can't call in sick tomorrow, there's no staff. I've been in this job 1.5 years so it's not secure. I feel sick that I have to go in tomorrow and know it won't really be manageable but the doctor won't call back until about 11 am and I start at 8. If I go on sick leave, it'll leave us massively understaffed (tiny team and massively responsible). I know managers can't say much but mine will be internally furious. If my doctor said they'd sign me off tomorrow, realistically, when could I go on leave in theory? I did it in February and gave them 24 hours notice and it was a difficult conversation but my life is going to pieces right now. NC'd for this.

OP posts:
ThatDamnScientist · 09/08/2020 22:27

Erm, I could be wrong but if you are sick and signed off by your doc then surely it comes into effect immediately and no notice is required.

Original poster
lenii · 09/08/2020 22:27

It's nothing COVID related by the way, neither was February.

OP posts:
LamppostInWinter · 09/08/2020 22:28

You can self certify for I think the first week, so don't worry about the doctors opening. Just think if you broke your leg you couldn't give any notice, do what you need to do.

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ThatDamnScientist · 09/08/2020 22:28

Oh and I really hope you get the support you need and you start to feel better soon. Flowers

Original poster
lenii · 09/08/2020 22:28

@ThatDamnScientist in theory but as I've NC'd, I'll just say that I manage a shop and we're severely understaffed due to COVID and it'll mean our shop is shut (big chain store)

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 09/08/2020 22:29

No notice at all, surely? If you're too sick to work, then don't go to work. Their lack of staff is not your problem.

SlB09 · 09/08/2020 22:30

You don't need any notice, if you are that close to ceiling then you need to be off. Yes they will be short staffed but that's not your cross to bear.
Do you think you went back to early after February? Maybe you need more support/input going forward?

Original poster
lenii · 09/08/2020 22:30

I'm scared as I've not been there two years and I was off for a month in feb with depression (very bad) but it's my anxiety right now due to home circumstances and I just can't 😢

OP posts:
Lemonylemony · 09/08/2020 22:30

You can sign yourself off for the first 5 days anyway, you don’t need to wait for the doctor. Are you sure it’s not worth talking to your manager - I was in this place a few weeks ago, I rang my manager asking for a day off later in the week when we didn’t have too many appointments and it would be easier for the team - she responded by arranging locum cover for me and giving me 5 days off. It didn’t fix everything, obviously, but it gave me a little space to decompress and I’ve been able to keep working.

vanillandhoney · 09/08/2020 22:30

Oh, and I used to work in retail.

Don't let them emotionally blackmail you by telling you you need to work or the shop won't open. They will cope without you. What if you were in a car crash or your house burned down? Someone would come in and cover you.

Call in sick. Thanks

Original poster
lenii · 09/08/2020 22:31

@SlB09 yes but I felt pressured but my anxiety is screaming at me Sad

OP posts:
ClamDango · 09/08/2020 22:32

If you are too sick to work then can your manager work tomorrow.

PinkDaffodil2 · 09/08/2020 22:32

You sign yourself off for the first week - by all means call your GP if you need to talk about getting help for your anxiety but they won’t do you a sick note until you’ve been off a week (otherwise GPs would be inundated with people needing them for brief absences).

StealthPolarBear · 09/08/2020 22:33

I hope you feel better soon op. Are you getting practical help with the situation?

SlB09 · 09/08/2020 22:34

You need to be off, be off until you are fully recovered, or recovered enough that work is the next step and a help for your recovery and not part of a relapse. If not you will yoyo being in and off and this just isn't good for self esteem or confidence.
Like pp have said, they will cover as they will have to get something sorted. It's sounds quite selfish but you kind of have to be at these points in your life and any responsible employer would understand and support this.

cabbageking · 09/08/2020 22:34

Send an email or text tonight to say you won't be in tomorrow. That is sufficient. Whether someone picks it up or not is not your problem.

Original poster
lenii · 09/08/2020 22:35

My manager lives about 3 hours away @ClamDango I'm the manager of my shop (branch) but she's my line manager

OP posts:
HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 09/08/2020 22:37

If its a chain store they'll just bring in someone from another store happens fairly frequently where my father works particularly if it's a manager whose off and others are also unavailable and on holiday or sick themselves.

Original poster
lenii · 09/08/2020 22:39

Is that 100% true @cabbageking ? I can message her right now and it's her problem?

OP posts:
cautiouscovidity · 09/08/2020 22:39

You need to take care of yourself and the company being short staffed is not your problem. Phone in sick tomorrow. You don't need to give a reason, and then see a Dr to sign you off.
Also, why is the shop so understaffed? If it's because lots of staff have COVID then realistically, any one if you could easily have caught it too and be off suddenly without notice. If it's because several people are on furlough, then they should be back at work if there is work for them to do. They can bring someone back with no notice so don't let yourself worry about this. It's your managers problem; that's what they are being paid to do.
I hope you get the help you need. Thanks

ClamDango · 09/08/2020 22:41

Ok. You email or ring your line manager this evening and say you will not be in tomorrow and will keep in touch and that you have an appt with the doctor . They will find cover. Concentrate on your own health.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/08/2020 22:47

@lenii

Is that 100% true *@cabbageking* ? I can message her right now and it's her problem?
What if you broke your leg? You wouldn’t be able to give notice of sickness, would you, unless you were co-incidentally on your days off and could message your manager. If you’re not fit for work, you are not fit for work, and you can (indeed must, your GP mightn't give you a sick note until the 2nd week) self certify.
lavenderlove · 09/08/2020 22:49

Definitely call in sick for tomorrow op but follow the correct procedure so it can't come back on you. You need to take care of yourself, so what it the shop has to be shut tomorrow, you are a million times more important than a shop. Hope you can get some help and support to feel better soon x

Lalanbaba · 09/08/2020 22:52

Hello there!
Let your manager in line (ops?) know as soon as possible (I mean right now) , but don't forget to follow the guidelines in your contract regarding sickness. (if you need to call the shop and inform Mod)
I'm assuming you don't personally open and close the shop yourself 7 days a week so organise the rota to cover yourself tomorrow, so the team doesn't struggle as much tomorrow.
The shop will not burn because you can't go work.
Got to the doctors tomorrow and get better

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 09/08/2020 22:56

they won’t do you a sick note until you’ve been off a week

When I broke down at work and went to the GP straight from work that day, he signed me off there and then - I was able to send HR the sick note the next day. It was massively reassuring to feel that someone "with authority" had stepped in to tell work that I was not fit to go in, and if he hadn't done that, I might have just kept struggling in. Definitely worth seeing your GP.

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