Anyone know the legalities of sick notes and contact from work?

[mineofuselessinformation]

Just that, really. And sorry, but it's a bit long!
If I manage to return the Monday after next (which is when my most recent sick note expires), I will have been off for six weeks.
I know that that's a long time, but to use a dramatic phrase, I've completely crashed and burnt, and have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
I'm still not at a point where I can return to work (high pressure and full time job) - I'm not up to it even now, as my medication has been changed a few times and I'm still letting things 'settle in'. (For context, I had a 'good morning' today, but then thought I should hoover and re-arrange the cushions on my sofa. It was enough to tip me over the edge into feeling exhausted and really unwell.)
While I've been off, my head of department and the person who arranges someone to cover my work have both contacted me twice. It's been both of them within a 24 hour period, and one of them has contacted me via private social media on the last occasion, yesterday.
Am I right in thinking they shouldn't be doing this? My sick note doesn't finish until the end of next week, and them sending me messages is making me feel pressured.
It's not helping when I'm already feeling very down about my situation.
If anyone has any knowledge of this I'd appreciate it.

I’m an employment lawyer.

It’s fine for them to maintain reasonable contact, and twice in a six week period isn’t a great deal.

They’re entitled to check in with you, usually to see how your recovery is going and when you’re expected back to work.

After six weeks, many companies would be looking to hold a formal welfare meeting with you, which would also usually be acceptable.

It sounds like you do need some further time off though, fibromyalgia can be debilitating so take the time you need to recover!

We are meant to make contact proactively every day! Officially a phonecall, but some managers accept an email

@MrsPinkCock, thank you for the reply.
Both times have been over a week before my sick note had / has been about to run out. I've been emailing sick notes to my boss's PA, so work are well aware of the period of time involved, and I've also emailed the two people I mentioned to make sure they knew, even though I shouldn't have to do that.
I'm quite happy to have a meeting (as long as it's in my home or I don't have to travel too far).
I suppose I'm feeling upset (and angry) with the enquiries when I've been doing my best to keep them informed.

@MrsPsmalls, even with a sick note from your GP??

@mrspinkcock my work have been the other way round - I had to call in for the first 5 self-certed days but since then I've had just one social call from my (lovely) boss in 6 weeks; I'm beginning to feel abandoned and my MH is nosediving as a result, the company MH advice website was sent to me by return when my first sicknote went in. Is there a minimum amount of contact an employer should make?

I had 12 months off last year...my manager called every month ....I thought that was fine ....I got sick notes for 3 month periods

@Couldhavebeenme3, sorry that you feel unsupported.
In my case, though, it's the fact that two separate people have contacted me...
I know that they are all very able to contact each other. A gentle 'hi, how are you?' Would be ok, but this is too much, especially as they know that any stress is not good for me.
@kitcat15, that sounds fair enough, as you are able to explain what you want to say easily. This has all been via email or social media. I'm only now at the point where I can try to type and my fingers do what I want them to do - it's been that bad.

[quote mineofuselessinformation]@MrsPsmalls, even with a sick note from your GP??[/quote]
Yes perfectly normal. Also, you are classed as long term sick after 4 weeks’ absence and a welfare meeting should take place every 4 weeks

I was off for 3 months with something similar to you OP and was contacted once a fortnight for the first 6 weeks, by HR who then arranged for someone to visit me at home.

Thank you all for the replies.
It reassures me that it's not unusual.
I suppose the reason why I'm feeling stressed out by it is that it's not just one person, but two. And, at least one of them (I don't want to say which) most definitely doesn't have my best interests at heart.
I suppose I have to roll with it, but it does make me feel stressed when I am already very aware of the extra work that has been dumped on my colleagues on top of their own workload.

[quote Couldhavebeenme3]@mrspinkcock my work have been the other way round - I had to call in for the first 5 self-certed days but since then I've had just one social call from my (lovely) boss in 6 weeks; I'm beginning to feel abandoned and my MH is nosediving as a result, the company MH advice website was sent to me by return when my first sicknote went in. Is there a minimum amount of contact an employer should make?[/quote]
Sorry to hear that!

There’s no legal minimum I’m afraid, it’s just down to your employer how they deal with it. Maybe they’re just leaving you to recover rather than it being a lack of care.