Can I retire and use sick leave during my notice period?

[FabulouslyAbsolute]

Major changes to my job role at work- new computer systems and monthly targets- so much training. I have been thinking of retiring for a few months - I am over 65 and would manage.
i have to give 3 months notice - if I put in my notice - I feel sick at the thought of going back ( and the comments I would get about leaving people in the lurch ) could I self certify for a week and then go to doctors for the rest of my time. My sick record over the last 15 years is exemplary so not taking this lightly. I just can’t face going back .
Can I do this - they can’t make me work my notice but they may let me go early so my pay would be less….i don’t really care about money - I just want to leave.

I’d definitely do this if I were you and I wouldn’t care what they thought. What are they going to do? Sack you? Good luck and enjoy your well earned retirement

' i don’t really care about money - I just want to leave. '

so leave.

What would your GP sign you off with for 3 months ( minus a week ) ?

You can totally do this like the above poster said, what exactly are they going to do? They can’t suck you and you don’t need a reference. You’ve served your time and enjoy the rest of your time!

Would your GP issue a fit note ? I so what for ? Stress ?
I guess your employer could do you for breach of contract if you don't have a fit note but I think unlikely.
I guess you don't need a reference so no worries there.
I would speak to them and see if you can negotiate just leaving early. there is no point them putting you through a load of training only for you to leave at the end of it anyway. Save them paying you three months wages for nothing.

Go for your second option, leave early (if they agree) and forego the money

Just hand your notice in, from immediate effect. Don’t even give a reason.

Thank you - I didn’t realise I could use from immediate effect. I thought I had to use notice period so they can sort out pension details which is why I wondered if I could be off with stress for the 3 months - and it would be genuine stress - never felt so low or weepy at the thought of work. The last 15 years were wonderful - great work colleagues and supportive management but since the takeover earlier this year - it’s been so stressful with new rules and uncaring management .

Would a doctor give you a sick note for 3 months? Could you not just ask if you can give a months notice?

Op i didn’t realise you were feeling low. if you are feeling that bad crying definitely get signed off, you just need a fit note. It’s done over the phone or online. Call in sick tomorrow you can certify for five days then contact your doctor there’s usually an online form to fill in for a fit note.

my DS has currently had to have a fitnote for four months due to work related stress, its been terrible and he is still not himself. His health is more important than any job even though his awful employer thinks otherwise.

Why not give notice and hand over, you won’t be leaving them in the lurch that way, in theory lack of notice is an issue, you might actually need things from them like your p45 to get your tax back etc

You get a fitnote for a month for work related stress. Then it’s renewed for want of a better word if you are still the same.

Whether you work the three months or not it will probably still take the same amount of time for the pension to come through, they can be notoriously slow unfortunately. Have you got some savings to tide you over.

Submitting your notice with immediate effect just means the 3m notice takes effect immediately. That’s what notice is.

If you resign with immediate effect you are not giving notice. You will be in breach of your contract, but that will only be an issue if your work want to pursue you for that.

Honestly I would resign (with notice) but tell them you’d like to negotiate an immediate exit. They will probably say yes unless you are the most important person there! And if they’ve noticed you’ve been struggling they may actually be relieved on their side too.

They don’t need the three months to sort anything for you, it’s to allow them to plan your work/handover/replacement etc. But you are probably only on 3m due to the statutory notice rule.

Sorry re pension - I don’t know what your situation is but I don’t think there’s an official ‘retirement’ process your employer goes through, it will be up to you to arrange those things. Bit I can only comment on modern SIPP style plans.

If you need to be paid for your notice period, check your contract/sick leave policies. My previous employer did not pay anything above statutory sick pay during probation or notice.

You don’t sound like you’re in a great place from a stress / work perspective, so could you get the doctor to sign you off work because of stress and then while you are off work contact your employer and tell them you just intend to retire because of ill health and see what they want to do? They might decide that working your notice while off sick suits them, or they might even decide they’d rather just pay you your notice period to not come back and let them get on with reorganising however they see fit. Assuming it’s not a DB scheme you’ll have to contact your pension provider and let them you intend to start drawing your pension, and they’ll advise you of your options and timescales if have thought.

Good luck x

You don’t need the money, you don’t need a reference for another job - you are literally liberated.

You resign with immediate effect and then walk out the door. They will do nothing about it.

Apparently this is common practise in a particular job. ‘Oh, I’ve had surgery scheduled for my knee replacement’ etc. You can resign and if you want, go sick. I can self certify for 2 weeks, I think, then just re-new as needed (did this after a genuine incident years and years ago). Enjoy your retirement!