To be surprised how easy it is to get signed off work?

[HaaaaaveyoumetTed]

I'm currently legitimately signed off work.

I work for the NHS in the community, traveling between patients homes. I'm an essential car user, my job can't be done from home/ the office, though even if it could I'd struggle reading a computer screen all day. I currently can't drive due vertigo which is also causing me to walk like I'm drunk, feel sick and struggle to read. It's also wiping me out something chronic.

I went to the GP, they diagnosed me, told me I wasn't allowed to drive and asked what I did for a living and gave me a 2 week sick note without me asking. I'm now on sick note number 5. Each time I email the GP, explain my symptoms remain and ask for another week. No one calls me, or discusses it with me, just posts me out a sick note.

I'm the sort of person that just feels guilty for being really legitimately unwell, so I'm glad it's a stress free process but I'm shocked! I've never been signed off before so wasn't sure what to expect.

Op how to get rid of vertigo may not have been the pont of your op but surely if you've been off for weeks it's understandable people will comment. Vertigo is a common problem I bet many have either experienced it or know someone who has.

Yes Drs do dish out sick notes too easily imo without managing conditions proactively. Try anti emetics, bf compatible ones (they help with motion problems too not just nausea) and ask for a referral if it persists.

@SirChenjins

I imagine that - given we’re in the a pandemic- GPs are probably not interested in interrogations and are happy to trust the patient. I’m surprised your Occ Health Dept hasn’t been in touch yet though. Our Board’s OH dept is straight onto long term sickness to support you back into work with a range of measures.

This. A lot of things seems to have changed now. It’s harder to see a gp but they seem happier to hand out prescriptions/antibiotics that used to be so hard to get hold of even when you really needed them

Brandt daroff exercises?

I got signed off without even seeing a doctor. I just cried to one on the phone.

It was due to stress as my manager was a bully but I couldn't believe how easy it was!

Hi OP, yes I did receive full pay when I was signed to work reduced hours. It was very ad hoc, I worked what I felt comfortable doing until I went on maternity leave. My employer are very supportive and flexible so worth checking with yours.

Your all so happy its SO easy but do you never consider it from the employers point of view or from coworkers point of view? There is zero accountability for doctors they just sign any old thing and employers are stuck paying for workers who very well may be able to work or at least may be able to do something - but don't want to or who don't like/aren't suited to the job but have no reason to move on.

The amount of money the public service I work for spends on the piss takers is astronomical. We are current accommodating various staff who have notes that insist they only work from home (their job can't be done from home), that say having to work with clients is too stressful (public facing job), one that can't work with people who are "troubled" (they are a social worker ffs). Who do you think does all their work? Surely folks understand that you can't have qualified paid, trained staff just waiting in the wings to cover here and there in every type of profession?

I want people who are ill to be able to go off but I also think there should be more accountability and oversight.

It's true that getting a sick note isn't terribly difficult, and that's probably as it should be.

But before the pandemic, I had read that GP's were starting to explore other options with the understanding that long term absences aren't always associated with improved outcomes.

With any system, there will be people who take the piss. But it's not easy to maintain financial stability if you're that kind of person.

I once had a month off and the GP actually offered another two weeks without me asking. I said no but I bloody wish I’d said yes as I wasn’t up to it when I went back. I just felt like I ‘should’ go back.

That's poor. I'm a GP and I generally discuss sick notes unless obvious eg having chemo. Signing off sick is an intervention which can cause harm.