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Original poster

Is it as easy as it seems to get signed off?

29 replies

RebelR · 13/07/2023 18:44

I've always thought having a doctors note proved you were really very unwell. I've fortunately never had cause to ask for one until fairly recently.

However during Covid I had a bereavement and wasn't coping very well. In the end I admitted defeat and was eventually signed off for more than 4 months. I never saw a doctor, just spoke to the receptionist, told them I didn't feel ready to go back and GP sent another note. This may have been different because of covid, but it seemed very slack. I definitely needed the note to begin with but I probably could/should have gone back sooner.

We currently have quite a few people on long term sick and based on my experience, I'm wondering how ill they've needed to be to get signed off. Is there any come back on doctors for signing people off too easily, what's their incentive not to just sign every request?

OP posts:
orangeleavesinautumn · 13/07/2023 18:48

I haven't found it easy. One GP wouldn't sign me off after a minor op, because he went back to work a couple of days after the same op. I found it unfair because he spent the day sitting in an office , whereas I was teaching boisterous teens, and on my feet, and dealing physically with the teaching and the children. Anyway, I couldn't work, and couldn't get signed off, so took the only course of action available, which was to resign.

HereToo · 13/07/2023 19:00

We currently have quite a few people on long term sick and based on my experience, I'm wondering how ill they've needed to be to get signed off.

Why though? It's not very nice to view other's sickness with suspicion, just because you should've gone back to work earlier.

It must be bad enough being so sick you can't do your job without colleagues wondering whether you're not really 'sick enough'.

Just do you.

Shopper727 · 13/07/2023 19:21

I was off for 11 months was quite poorly then couldn’t walk. So pretty tough and no couldn’t have gone back to work sooner. Also my gp was amazing and managed to get me up to the hospital to get treatment so I could get back to work at all. I did have to change job due to my mobility in the end but it did mean I could go back. Just because you found it slack on your circumstances doesn’t mean others do.

It wasn’t easy to get signed off, it was worry to go onto half pay and the prospect of no pay as a single parent with no other income. I had no choice as I physically couldn’t work, and if I could turn the clock back and get my health/mobility back and be able to continue my job I would.

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General health
lionsleepstonight · 13/07/2023 19:26

It's very easy to get a sick note. No doctors appointment required for the first one, and one quick call to get an extension.

vipersnest1 · 13/07/2023 19:29

So, let me get this straight, @RebelR - you're judging other people based on what you did?
Have a look in the mirror.
I was off work for eight months, returning around a year ago. The stress was immense - worrying if I would ever be able to work again, very negative experiences of an OH doctor (eventually I was supported by my employers as they realised what was going on), then being 'invited' to consider medical retirement by HR.
I had an absolute ball and would do it all in a second. Oh, wait.....

TrueScrumptious · 13/07/2023 19:36

I’ve had some periods of being signed off due to cancer treatment. Three weeks the first time. Three months for my second diagnosis and treatment. They were straightforward to get off. As I think is right. I would worry about losing my job if I was off longer, even if it wasn’t my fault.

swanling · 13/07/2023 19:45

What is your point?

nhsteabags · 13/07/2023 19:52

Yes it's very easy. Anyone in the practice I work in can ring up and request a note and will get it. Aslong as they have self cert for the first 7 days the doctors hands them out like sweets basically. It really baffles me and annoys me. We have 2 patients married claiming mental health when they moved here, but have gone back to their country for "treatment" and still receiving sicknotes, their friend collects it for them, it's that easy to get one. Others have a headache and want signed off.. they get the note.

mycatsanutter · 13/07/2023 19:55

I'm a GP receptionist, the first signing off is by a Dr then the next ones are written by us then signed off by a Dr. If a Dr was to see everyone that requested a sick note it would increase their workload immensely. Some people do play the system yep but also a lot are genuinely unable to work .

ClaribelLowLieth · 13/07/2023 20:00

So people can just call their GP and ask to be signed off for a week?!

How interesting . . . !

Mymblesdaughter · 13/07/2023 20:07

I had an operation recently and phoned the doctor for a sick note. I was surprised how easy it was to get one. He asked how long I needed on the telephone appointment. I was totally genuine but it did make me think, I wonder if everyone gets asked how long they want. It's the first sick note I've had so have no idea if this is a new thing?

Original poster
RebelR · 13/07/2023 20:42

vipersnest1 · 13/07/2023 19:29

So, let me get this straight, @RebelR - you're judging other people based on what you did?
Have a look in the mirror.
I was off work for eight months, returning around a year ago. The stress was immense - worrying if I would ever be able to work again, very negative experiences of an OH doctor (eventually I was supported by my employers as they realised what was going on), then being 'invited' to consider medical retirement by HR.
I had an absolute ball and would do it all in a second. Oh, wait.....

No, I'm explaining my experience. Of course lots of people who have sick note need them, I did too but I was surprised to get one without even speaking to a doctor.

I'm not judging anyone, except maybe the doctors signing these things off.

OP posts:
Original poster
RebelR · 13/07/2023 20:44

swanling · 13/07/2023 19:45

What is your point?

Well my point if I think knthat far is that if doctors are handing them out like sweets.as PP says, that must be costing the economy a fortune.

Of course anyone who needs one should get one, but should it really just be a matter of asking?

OP posts:
MockneyReject · 13/07/2023 20:51

lionsleepstonight · 13/07/2023 19:26

It's very easy to get a sick note. No doctors appointment required for the first one, and one quick call to get an extension.

It might be easy enough to vet, but the DWP don't have to accept it.
I recently had a full hip replacement, but my fit note was rejected, so I had to go back to work after just one month.
Similarly, when I broke my collar bone, 2 years ago, I had to go back to work after 3 weeks because my fit note was rejected. It's still broken, now, as I wasn't able to wear the sling.

Is it as easy as it seems to get signed off?
MockneyReject · 13/07/2023 20:51

*get, not vet.

Original poster
RebelR · 13/07/2023 20:52

MockneyReject · 13/07/2023 20:51

It might be easy enough to vet, but the DWP don't have to accept it.
I recently had a full hip replacement, but my fit note was rejected, so I had to go back to work after just one month.
Similarly, when I broke my collar bone, 2 years ago, I had to go back to work after 3 weeks because my fit note was rejected. It's still broken, now, as I wasn't able to wear the sling.

Show quote history

I'm not thinking of DWP situations but where they're used to have paid sick leave from employers, most generously in the public sector.

OP posts:
Mojitosaremyfavourite · 13/07/2023 20:55

I have poor mental health. Cannot work .

When I last had a job, I was signed off for 9 months. My doctor called me weekly as I was very unwell. Eventually I left the job and haven’t been able to work since .

In my experience, I spoke with my Doctor regularly but other peoples experiences may vary.

MockneyReject · 13/07/2023 21:25

Is paid sick leave from an employer different to SSP, then?

Original poster
RebelR · 13/07/2023 21:33

MockneyReject · 13/07/2023 21:25

Is paid sick leave from an employer different to SSP, then?

Yes

OP posts:
MockneyReject · 13/07/2023 21:45

RebelR · 13/07/2023 21:33

Yes

Show quote history

Ah, ok. My employer paid me SSP only. So, I needed U/C top up. They said I was well enough to work - and they dated that decision from the day of my surgery!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 13/07/2023 21:55

In my experience it is easy to get a sick note. Mine have always been genuine but I imagine it's quite easy to play the system.

I recently had 8 weeks off and it was as simple as completing an online form and receiving the note. I spoke to a doctor once, prior to the first note.

My employer pays full pay for the first 6 months then half for another 6. Not public sector.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 13/07/2023 21:57

ClaribelLowLieth · 13/07/2023 20:00

So people can just call their GP and ask to be signed off for a week?!

How interesting . . . !

I doubt they say "sign me off for a week". They probably give their reasons. A few years ago, I was having a difficult time and wanted to increase my anti depressant dose. The doctor agreed but also asked how long I wanted off work.

RandomUsernameHere · 13/07/2023 22:04

Is there any come back on doctors for signing people off too easily, what's their incentive not to just sign every request?

I would imagine there are a lot more consequences to not signing someone off than for signing them off without justification. Not an expert though.

NeedToBookAGetaway · 13/07/2023 22:28

One point in my life my MH was to the floor. ( 10 years ago approx)
I would see a gp they'd chat make sure wasn't suicidal etc and ask how long i wanted off. If i wanted more i just had to call. With periodic reviews for ADs.

In one year i prob had 8 months off
Following year 6 month off
3rd year maybe 6 months off too.

I couldn't care if anyone was suspicious of me. In fact i regularly went in to see my colleagues and went for food etc because this was advised! Not sitting moping etc. Forcing myself out of my comfort zones.

Im Still friends with the majority despite leaving after those 3 bad years and 18 years of service. I left 7 years ago now.

WeWereInParis · 13/07/2023 22:29

I was signed off for the first three months of pregnancy with morning sickness. I didn't have any trouble getting signed off, obviously they knew I was pregnant and taking antisickness medication. I just called up every two weeks and got a fresh prescription and a sick note.
But I genuinely could not have worked in the state I was in. And I've always been underweight so they were a bit worried about me losing any weight. I just told them I didn't feel able to work, and they signed it.

There was one other occasion where I got a fit note saying I had to wfh. The GP suggested signing me off altogether, I asked for it just to be wfh.

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