I have read this whole thread and have to say it has left me feeling really sad.
We probably all know someone who has "pulled a sickie" when not necessary. However, some of the comments here show a complete lack of empathy towards others.
I was 50 last month and had to retire from my admin role within the NHS last October due to health issues. I have chronic back and neck pain and, whilst a previous poster commented that the legitimacy of MSK issues is difficult to question, the operations, scans and treatments I have had over the past 30 years would contradict that statement.
Two years before I left work, I had an operation to remove two discs in my neck and I needed a period of time to recuperate. I have separate issues with my back/leg and, although not at work, either lying in bed or sitting in a chair all day would not have helped those problems. However, as my mobility is severely restricted, I couldn't go for long walks. I did go out and about and, for me, my car is my lifeline, as it is the only way I can get out of my house unaccompanied (providing I don't have to walk more than a few steps at the other end).
I lived in the same village as the hospital I worked in and would often meet friends at our local garden centre for coffee - I could drive there and then a friend could push me in a wheelchair to the cafe. I used to hate seeing people I worked with as I would feel so guilty being out whilst signed off from work; however, I was also suffering depression and if I had had to stay at home in pain, things would have felt even worse.
In reply to the comment about working restricted hours, towards the end of my employment, I returned from a period of sickness on a phased return - initially for two hours a day and then gradually increased to a maximum of four hours a day. When I had been off following my operation, my manager had arranged for cover by an apprentice - he was a very nice person, but not really capable of the job; however, because mine was a very standalone role, my manager had no idea what I did, or the importance of my role within the department.
The advantage of the phased return was that I could go into work once I had woken up and the medication had taken enough effect to reduce the pain (bad nights meant that sometimes I wouldn't actually sleep until about 5am and to get up an hour later was very difficult). The disadvantage was that I loved my role and took it very seriously - I tried so hard to only work the 2 hours but, when you can see things that haven't been done or people are so pleased you are back they are unintentionally putting unrealistic demands on your workload, it was very hard to stick too. Also, the nature of the role meant that, although I didn't start at my usual 8.00 am, I realistically needed to start by 9.00 am to get certain things done.
Things were worse when I increased to 4 hours - I was constantly conflicted between getting jobs done and leaving on time. I struggled to leave within 5 hours, with just a 15 minute break to rest muscles. I would leave work, get home within 10 minutes and would literally take painkillers and collapse in a chair. I have a husband and four children but when my youngest was getting in from school, I was barely able to string a conversation together due to pain and exhaustion. I had to rely on others preparing a meal and had absolutely no quality of life.
However, work gave me a sense of worth and I loved my job. There is nothing I would like better than to be back at work in a role that was interesting and fulfilling.
To say that GPs give out sick notes willy-nilly and people can often return to work before the sicknote expires is such a generalisation and is very hurtful to those who need to be off work. There will always be those who don't want to work but, for the majority, sickness is taken as a last resort, often leading to longer periods of recovery. It is sensible to try some normal daily activities before returning to work - if you can't get out and shop for half an hour at a time of day that you are feeling at your best, then you definitely are not fit to return to a full working day and, with the best will in the world, an employer will see an employee returning to work as fit to carry out their role (not just for a few hours).
Some people on Mumsnet are very fortunate if they have never come across physical or mental health issues requiring periods of sickness.