Can someone help me understand NHS sick leave?

[Leaffy5]

I know if you have over 3 periods of sick leave over 12 months it can trigger a referral but how is the 12 months calculated? So say I go off today does that mean they look at the past 12 months or when does it renew? Thanks

You need to read your trusts sickness policy as they may slightly differ. It will be on the intranet

It's a rolling 12 months, so they will look back at the previous 12 months from the day you are off sick.

This is my understanding of it.

How long have the periods been for?
Have you been signed off for them?

Yes ours is rolling so a year ago today

ive only had 1 period of sickness a few months ago for 3 days

As far as I can see it's the most generous sick pay scheme in existence and people working in the NHS have higher sick leave than many of their patients, who are often working in demanding roles while managing serious illness themselves!

I have spoken to several people this year who had treatment for serious illnesses delayed due to staff sickness absence. A couple actually work for NHS themselves and were very cynical about some of the reasons for absence, one even admitted she had used her maximum allowance for 'stress' leave a couple of years ago because she was 'pissed off'. I don't doubt staff are under huge pressure but so are their patients who are often still struggling into work themselves!

I understand but I’m undergoing a surgery and feel bad for even having to go off. Hence my question as I don’t want to take the piss

So you have nothing to worry about

Wow that’s a very generalised view and certainly NOT my experience. I’ve worked in the NHS for 30 years and all I’ve ever seen is really hard working, dedicated staff. It’s vitality important that front line staff are able to take time off when they’re genuinely ill. Spreading diseases to patients who are often immune suppressed should be avoided.

I don't think you have anything to worry about with your leave OP hope all goes well with your surgery x

If you've worked in the NHS for 30 years you'll know the blatant piss takers without having to think too hard about it. I still remember the folk who had mysterious illnesses every Christmas and New Year without fail.

The OP is not one of them and has nothing to worry about.

Mine is rolling year and informal warning after 2 absences in a year or 10+ days off.
Planned sickness for surgery is viewed differently though, it may not trigger in the same way.

I absolutely agree! I worked for the NHS for years and some of the staff are absolute piss takers!

Its 12 months from when the most recent absence started, they look back and if there are 3 absences during that period, you trigger

You’ll have a medical sick cert for surgery and depending on what your operation is for, you’ll more likely be on long term sick which is viewed differently (at least in my Trust / but you should check your own sickness absence policy).

I’m a manager, believe me, we know who the piss takers are. One episode of short term sick plus planned surgery (as long as it’s not a Brazilian butt lift in Turkey) is not going to raise any eyebrows.

Hope all goes well.

Rolling year here too and an absence management policy to deal with the pisstakwrs. We now get quarterly reports for all our staff that show absences in the last year and what monitoring and action, if any, is required. If people are shirking then it's up to their managers to deal with it - we have enough tools at our disposal.

Rolling year and meeting if you trigger based on Bradford score which is calculated by number of episodes in last 12 months squared x number of days off. Ie 2 episodes totalling 10 days would be 2 squared (4) x 10 = Bradford score of 40. Can't recall trigger figure, maybe 200?? Its designed to trigger numerous episodes of 1 or 2 days and excuse 1 long period of absence.

Planned surgery for non cosmetic reasons is not going to trigger anything

Also a rolling 12 months here. However, planned surgery (non-cosmetic) isn't treated the same as normal sick leave and doesn't initiate a trigger. You need to read your Trust policy though as they all differ. For example, our Trust doesn't use the Bradford score like some PPs Trusts do.