AIBU to ask for 2 more days sick? Long post

[idontknowmyusernameanymore]

Following on from my other thread the other day about me being signed off with Hyeperemesis and exhaustion and my manager seeing me shopping and reporting me to HR (hmmsad) I am due to go back to work tomorrow (Wednesday) for two days but then on Friday I am signed off for holiday. Here is my problem.

I have a meeting with occupational health in the morning, 9AM. To discuss wether a phased return to work would be the best option, shorter hours easing myself into it.

Considering I'm starting tomorrow, having 2 hours off on Thursday for maternity appt's then taking a week of pre-booked leave on Friday is it unreasonable to tell occupational health PLEASE to let me have the two days off sick and start my phased return after the week of holiday?

I still feel utterly terrible, and it's not as if I'm having a week's jolly holiday, I've got a week booked off as its my birthday (last one before I become a mother) but at this rate the way I'm sick I'm not doing anything for it!

I've honestly just had a really miserable 22 weeks so far. I know how lucky I am to be pregnant and love the baby but Hyeperemesis/Exhaustion/Physio Appointments/Low Lying placenta, it feels as if nothing else can go any worse sad

Maybe it's worth talking to your manager and asking if you can take your annual leave whilst sick to top up your pay, but otherwise it doesn't quite sit right. It seems likely you'll be back on sick leave after your holiday and that coupled with the bumping into your boss whilst out won't do you any favours.

Turn up for work. Do you want to get paid and have a job after maternity leave? You agreed to work she. You took the job. At the very very least show willing.

Rave that's a good idea, I hadn't thought of asking for my annual leave to top up my sick pay, I won't be payed maternity leave so I'm not in theory costing the company that much. It's horrible feeling this poorly but being pressured to go back or no pay. Thank you

Apricota I took the job and worked hard before I was pregnant, I didn't choose to have HG, if it was my choice I'd much rather be at work 9-5 earning money and enjoying my pregnancy rather than sitting in and crying being sick/lonely all day everyday. I am showing plenty of willing by trying to go back time and time again but if occupational health and my doctor if think I'm too poorly I guess we'll see what they say tomorrow.

I'm confused if you work in the NHS you are entitled to paid holiday and sick pay plus maternity pay unless you work for the outsourced cleaning and catering companies or are Bank staff. If you have a NHS contract then you need to read up on the terms and conditions

OP - are you me??
I've been off sick for pregnancy related reasons, I'm going back to work tmw and am also only going in for 2 days as I'm on leave next week. Spooky!

I'm going in and going to have a meeting with my manager, to explain how I'm feeling and what I need from work to come back. I want to do this now as I only have a limited amount of sick pay and would rather attempt to go back for a couple of days then take leave for a week, to buy me some time.

There's a chance I might be signed off again after my holiday, but I wanted to show willing.

Can you offer to take half a day of holiday to shorten your days this week if you're keen to go back?

BakingAddict I had only worked there 2 months in that role (but NHS for 2 years) before I started being sick so I wasn't there long enough to get any sick pay after having 4 weeks off, although I do get statutory, £80 a week I think?

Itscurtainsforyou how strange I hope your day goes well tomorrow! It's like that, limited sick days are a bit rubbish. I'll see what they can offer. I think lots of my team are on holiday it feels a bit wrong asking for more holiday but I can see!

How did you get on today op?

Did you have continuous service within the NHS for 2 years before your current role started? NHS employees who change from one NHS trust to another are usually entitled to keep sick-pay benefits from old job (unless they've had a long gap between jobs). In my trust you get 1 month full-pay 1 month half-pay in 1st year of NHS service, which doubles every year even if you change to a different NHS trust. Do check with HR in case you're entitled to more sick-pay than they're giving you! It's tough going onto SSP.

Also check with your manager to see if you can use up more annual leave to stay on full-pay. Mine suggested doing this to stay on full-pay during the calculation period for mat-leave, so when my sick-pay reduced I took a big block of annual leave.

Really hope you feel better soon

It'scurtains thank you for asking, occupational health were fairly helpful but it's up to me to decide how poorly I feel. Apparently Hyeperemesis can be made better by eating and it's my fault I'm exhausted because I'm not eating enough. That's why I've been on prescription for anti-sickness for the last 17 weeks! Going to try going back to work from the 20th so I can start phased return after my holiday thankfully. And if I'm poorly then I'll just have to be signed off again.

Lilac it was continuous service, but for a different trust. I'll check and see, thank you for telling me. And thank you for well wishes

Grr - it's really annoying when oh think they understand what's wrong with you more than your own Dr/consultant...

Hope you have a relaxing week (as much as you can).

Exactly what Lilac says don't be fobbed off you qualify for 2 years continuous service and you will get paid sick and maternity. Good luck

Thank you both