Sicknotes.How much information is needed and is absence confidential?

[whatisforteamum]

We were discussing this at work.How much info is needed without lying about the real reason.
.I have recently been to the GP for meno symptoms and recently had some bladder issues.The GP has examined me and went me to the hospital for a scan and blood tests.
The thing is my workplace is male dominated which is fine.It also is the culture to be in work at all times( I am guilty of this too) so the boss want to know why anyone were ever off any reasons that makes it genuine.Also one manager is young and a gossip.I would be mortified if certain personal details came out to the team.
Besides I think the tests are to rule out cancer which is sensitive to me as both parents had it one was my late df.
Anyone know where I stand regarding possible absence.

No one apart from HR needs to see your sick (fit) note, OP. All employers need to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your Line Manager should not receive and does not need to see it. HR will know what to do with it and will know the implications of letting any information on it get out. Your Line Manager doesn't need to know why you're off sick, just that you are, and when you can be expected back. Neither does anyone else. If HR tell anyone at all, they are in direct contravention of the DPA as this is considered 'sensitive personal data'.

Depends how big your workplace is. I work for a small company with no HR department. People being off sick and the reasons why are pretty much common knowledge.
For doctors appointment I usually just say that I’ve got an appointment and nobody has ever asked further. For a longer time off and if I needed a sick note I’d aske the GP for the vaguest reason they could think of.

Where I work, the Line Manager would know why you were off sick as they have to approve it on the system. However, it would be serious misconduct to disclose that to someone else. I think you just need to state it’s gynae and I expect no further questions to be asked.

I mean - I expect no further questions WILL be asked as not many men I know would enquire further!

We don't have hr where I am.My boss is my dcs age.Recently someone else was unwell and I overheard conversations between managers.I am currently having some issues with a colleague so the last thing I need is unkind comments about my situation.I don't know the score as I'm hardly ever off sick and it is many years since a note was issued.

I’ve always worked for small companies, and a while ago, had several days off with an issue I had no wish to discuss with work.

I asked my GP to put “gynaecological issue” which she did.

No need to go into detail.

Really that vague?

If you have a fit note you are entitled to expect that it is kept confidential and shared on a need to know basis only - personally I would think it is serious misconduct to gossip about a colleague's health issues.

Your line manager doesn't need to see the actual fit note. It is also not for him to question the reason why you are off sick as he is not a doctor (presumably), if your GP judges you are unfit to work that is all there is to it.

If you are worried you can agree with your GP the wording on the fit note so it is as vague as possible, also make clear to whomever you submit it that you expect it to be kept confidential.

Thank you.Where I work we self cert for a week apparently I don't know as I've only had an migraine.

As you don't have HR in your workplace Op, maybe you could approach a manager you trust best with the fit note and explain your concerns?

We are a bit short staffed.If I email the place the gossip ones could see it.Normally I am an open person however some things are personal.I will have to tell my boss and explain I want it kept confidential.

Whenever I have cared about what goes on my sick note, I have discussed it with my GP. My GP is of the opinion that illness is confidential. With this I would ask him to put gynaecological, but he would put pretty much any broad term I asked for that was not lying. So could also state urological disorder. Or discuss it with the GP.

@Livingtothefull If you don't have an HR Dept as I don't in my workplace either, it is usually your line manager who keeps the employee records including any sick notes. It is about 17 years since I worked anywhere with an HR Dept. And in all those jobs my line manager would have had to see my sick note.

'It also is the culture to be in work at all times'

Btw I can't say how much it riles me that some workplaces like yours still have this kind of culture. Times have changed and it could backfire on them horribly one day if someone esp say a pregnant woman or a disabled person is pressured to work, or penalised for taking sick time, when unfit.

People get ill sometimes and need time off to recover, it should be accepted and every workplace needs a contingency plan for it. IMO it is just a 'cost of doing business'.

Id just keep it vague.

Just say ‘I need to have x day off as I have a hospital appointment’.

I had an appointment with a counsellor about CBT for anxiety. I didn’t want anyone at work knowing about it so I said ‘I’ve got an appointment at doctors at xx, I’ll be back afterwards’. When I got back he said ‘is everything ok?’ and I said ‘women’s problems’ and it went no further.

I agree it is a cost of doing business, but I have come across this culture as well.

It is OK for the line manager to receive the fit note karencantobe where there is no HR department, provided the manager is aware of his obligations re data protection and the need to keep it absolutely confidential.

Yes I have come across it too, and it is a toxic culture.

Someone else blew up when became apparent there absence had been discussed.I will have to reiterate it is confidential and hope it stays that way.
I do understand that some people will use every excuse in the book not to work so questions sometimes need to be asked or absences explained.

If you have a sick note, the only questions they can legally ask is if any medical adjustments need to be made. They can send you to occupational health, but that is all.

I agree Op that there are some people who 'will use every excuse in the book not to work'; however I do believe that they are a minority. There has to be an absolute acceptance that sick leave supported by a fit note is genuine.

Any questions asked by employer should only be with a view to supporting the sick person in their recovery and return to work. TBH I wouldn't expect the short term absence of someone with an otherwise good attendance record to be an issue with any reasonable employer.

Details are not necessary but a brief explanation of absence is. And absolutely 100% should be confidential. Make sure you stress this to whichever manager you speak to. are you in a union?

In your case, Id put "Hospital referal for scans and tests".

When I had an ectopic pregnancy, my sick note on discharge from the hospital said "abdominal surgery". Someone assumed that meant I'd had my appendix removed, and I just let them get on with it.

So, I dont lie, but I dont tell the whole truth, iyswim?

One of the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force in 2018, relates to confidentiality. Here it is - it requires that personal data should be:

'(f) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures (‘integrity and confidentiality’).”'

ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/principles/

So this is about the legal obligation on the part of your employer to keep personal information confidential. If they allow it to be disclosed to the extent that it becomes common knowledge in the office and potentially shared outside, then your employer is breaking the law.

TBH it surprises me that your workplace seems to be so controlling about sickness absences from work yet so lax about confidentiality with potentially far more serious consequences for them.