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Original poster

Do I tell them the real reason I was off sick?

24 replies

itstoohot2022 · 13/08/2022 20:58

I was signed off work for one month and I am due back next week. The reason I was off isn't on my sick note my GP put quite a flippant reason.
Should I tell my work the real reason which is I was exhausted due to iron deficiency and also I was waiting for tests results for a possible cancer reoccurrence.
I don't know if I should just give very little information during my return to work interview or if I should be as open as possible. I don't have a manager at the moment so it will be with another manager from a different department.

OP posts:
OwlBasket · 13/08/2022 20:59

What would you feel most comfortable with? That has to be central really.

hopeishere · 13/08/2022 21:05

Why did your GP lie on the sick note??

AlisonDonut · 13/08/2022 21:07

Can you give us some idea of what it was that was on your sick note and why would a GP be flippant about a possible cancer reoccurence?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
applegrumbles · 13/08/2022 21:07

Being a cancer survivor is automatically classed as a disability so I’d be inclined to mention the cancer element to ensure you are treated correctly.

Hope you’re doing ok.

OwlBasket · 13/08/2022 21:10

It’s quite common for GPs to make a sick note as ‘light’ as possible, isn’t it? Right to medical privacy and all that. No obligation for them to tell the whole truth AFAIK, as long as the reason given is proportionate to the time off reqired.

tickticksnooze · 13/08/2022 21:18

Do you need anything from your employer on your return that would make those details relevant information?

Return to work meeting is to discuss any future support you may need. If both those issues are now resolved, why do they need to know?

If it's a manager you don't have a relationship with and you don't need anything ongoing (e.g. Time off for appointments) then I doubt they'd be expecting or interested in more details than they already have.

pilates · 13/08/2022 21:22

I would be honest and tell them the real reason. It will make life easier to get time off for any further appointments. I hope you have positive news 💐

hotfroth · 13/08/2022 21:30

Why did your GP do that? And what sort of a flippant reason is going to satisfy your employer that you needed all that time off?

SausageDogNamedBrenda · 13/08/2022 21:41

When I had a kidney stone, which had been confirmed with a scan, the GP wrote on my sick note 'investigation for groin pain' which I thought was strange.
Why didn't he write about the kidney stone?
Do whatever feels right with you OP, I hope you're ok🌺

MiniPumpkin · 13/08/2022 21:43

I would be honest so that it Is classed as an ‘ongoing’ medical condition that causes absence. This prevents organisations from taking a formal route when you go off fir various different reasons at different times.
hope that everything works out ok for you

Damnloginpopup · 14/08/2022 06:42

Neither are 'embarrasing' issues so I'd give full details personally

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 14/08/2022 07:33

hopeishere · 13/08/2022 21:05

Why did your GP lie on the sick note??

It's not that the GP lied, it's that they often put a very general reason for being off sick so that you can go into as much or as little detail with your employer as you like.

StopStartStop · 14/08/2022 07:34

Do what's best for you, not them.

tenbob · 14/08/2022 07:40

Return to work interviews don’t go into the reason you were off…

there shouldn’t be any point during the meeting where it comes up, so it’s not a decision you should worry about

But like pp said, it would make sense to let them know the issue isn’t fully resolved and further time off is likely. But you don’t need to go into details if you don’t want to

Endlesslypatient82 · 14/08/2022 07:43

Depends on a lot

if you have been there a long time and well regarded, then open up and explain if you wish but not need.

i suspect fact you are asking would indicate perhaps the above isn’t the case, in which case whilst you don’t have to elaborate, it might be an idea to be open and honest

KittyCatsby · 14/08/2022 07:47

I once had 3 weeks off due to an operation on my anus ! Giving in my sick note to my younger male boss was embarrassing , but as it was the reason , nothing I could do about it.

PearPickingPorky · 14/08/2022 07:48

Was it "tired" that the GP put, by any chance?

carefullycourageous · 14/08/2022 07:59

What did the GP put?

Endlesslypatient82 · 14/08/2022 08:07

KittyCatsby · 14/08/2022 07:47

I once had 3 weeks off due to an operation on my anus ! Giving in my sick note to my younger male boss was embarrassing , but as it was the reason , nothing I could do about it.

I have a boob job!

Surgeon just put “surgery”

Endlesslypatient82 · 14/08/2022 08:08

had

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 14/08/2022 08:09

hotfroth · 13/08/2022 21:30

Why did your GP do that? And what sort of a flippant reason is going to satisfy your employer that you needed all that time off?

GPs do this deliberately to preserve their patients’ right to confidentiality and to give the patient control over how much or how little they choose to tell their employer.

Once you have been signed off by a medical professional as ‘not fit for work’, whether or not your employer is satisfied with the reason is irrelevant.

Thurlow · 14/08/2022 08:13

I would be tempted to be honest, even if it is only with HR, as it gives them the whole picture if you have any more absences. I was recently diagnosed anemic and took some time off, I’ve told HR so that they know it’s something that could lead to more absences.

I’m sorry you’re feeling rubbish and I hope you get your results soon.

Rowthatboat · 14/08/2022 08:15

tenbob · 14/08/2022 07:40

Return to work interviews don’t go into the reason you were off…

there shouldn’t be any point during the meeting where it comes up, so it’s not a decision you should worry about

But like pp said, it would make sense to let them know the issue isn’t fully resolved and further time off is likely. But you don’t need to go into details if you don’t want to

Not in my experience. I spent 90 minutes explaining my sick note "gynecology" to my boss who was determined that I should admit I'd had a miscarriage. It was a total inquisition. A lot of managers think it's their right to know everything to help "support you". It's worth prepping your story in advance - because they'll only know what you tell them.

Endlesslypatient82 · 14/08/2022 08:22

Rowthatboat · 14/08/2022 08:15

Not in my experience. I spent 90 minutes explaining my sick note "gynecology" to my boss who was determined that I should admit I'd had a miscarriage. It was a total inquisition. A lot of managers think it's their right to know everything to help "support you". It's worth prepping your story in advance - because they'll only know what you tell them.

Show quote history

But it was absolutely within your rights to say that you would not go in to further detail beyond that reported on your sick note. Had he or she tried to take it further, your boss would have been immediately stopped higher up the chain

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