Signed off work - when do I return?

[PilliPAL]

I’ve been signed off work for post natal depression.

i saw the dr today (8.12.22) and have a sick note for “two weeks”. She wants to see me on the morning of 22.12.22

Does the sick note include 22nd then? Or will i be expected to return to work on 22nd?

I just want to know where I stand before phoning work to notify them.

It will include the 22/12 and then, if needed, the GP will issue another sick note to cover 23/12 onwards. If you are starting meds, these can take up to 6 weeks to get into your system and start working. Hope you feel better soon.

@Turmerictolly

Thank you for the quick response.
I have been on antidepressants since September but decided to try and work still. It’s just too much right now. I’ll be upping my dose of sertraline and dr was confident I should respond quickly as I’m already on them. Thank you again. X

what can I and cannot do whilst on sick leave? Am I allowed to go to the shops / gym / do school run? How about going for a walk during the day or out for a meal in the evenings?

if I was recovering from surgery or had broken a bone I wouldn’t be able to do any of those things but being off work for depression - I know the gym would be good for me but don’t want to get in trouble with work.

You can and you should do all of those things. I was off work with depression and my doctor encouraged me to do things like go to cookery classes as a way to get me out the house.

You are unfit to work due to MH so you can do all of those things.
Its not like if you were off with a bad back and then going weightlifting

Thank you for the reassurance.
if I stayed at home I’d be too tempted to stay in bed. Booking an exercise class would force me to get out of the house and obviously the endorphins would help.

thank you!