To not know what to do regards to sick note?

[Idkwhattodohelp]

I work in the food industry. Came down with D&V last Tuesday night. Stayed off Weds, Thurs and Fri to ensure no contamination. Phoned work every day to let them know I wasn't coming in.

Today when I go in I get told that because of my 'persistent absence due to illness' (4 days in January for flu, a couple of days for bad migraines throughout the last year) they need a note from my GP- this will cost me £20 as it is less than 7 days absence. They didn't tell me this when I was actually off or I could have gone in then.

Phoned doctors today and spoke to a spectacularly unhelpful receptionist who said that it's not an emergency as I am better (well obviously) and they don't have any appointments for a month. She seemed pissed off that I was even there.

Do I wait the month (surely I will need the note before then) or can I just tell my employer that I can't get a note? Bear in mind that if I take the appointment in a months time, I will probably have to miss work to go to it......

Tell your work you can't get an appointment for a month and it would be during work hours. Put the ball back in their court.

Absence less than 7 days is a self certificate, you can pick one up at reception or sometimes u download them online,
Your employer sounds ridiculous,

Book the appointment - explain situation to your employer - ask what they would like you to do (go/ not go). Record everything and if you are with a union just double check the procedure with them re the self-certifying policies etc.

Tell work you cant get one
You can selfcert for first 4 days
A lot if employers and schools do this
Massive waste of health service resources
How can a gp tell a month later whether you were ill. Even if you get an appointment on the day, if you say you have a migraine a doctor is not going to call you a liar.
Tell them the NHS is on its knees and you're not going to waste resources if you dont need to
Doctors dont train for 7 years to be a glorified truant officer

You don't need a gp note. For that amount of absence you self certify.

Well what could the gp do anyway?

Hello GP, I had the shits. I don’t now. Can you write a note even though you only have my word for it?

You don't need a fit certificate (as they are actually known) so ask your employer how you claim back the money for a private certificate as they will need to pay you back or if they are really worried then suggest they refer you for an Occupational Health appointment.

Look at your works sickness policy.

I ended up scoring high on the Bradford chart because I had a chronic illness (should have been recorded differently but the hr woman was an utter cow) and it was over a rolling 12 month period. So check the period they’re actually looking over too.