Can work tell me not to go in?

[Ikustfeelrotten]

Can my employer prevent me from working my last day?

I am leaving my job due to the bullying of my manager. It is my last day tomorrow. I am also having a rough early pregnancy and my doctor told me I needed to rest today to get my blood pressure under control. I obviously messaged my manager that I had been given this advice and that I would be in tomorrow hopefully. They have told me not to go in. Can they do that? I want to pick up my stuff and say bye to people.

Am I being unreasonable about this? I am trying to work as much as I can but the doctor said i should rest for a day. I get it's inconvenient - I was meant to be running a meeting today but I can't help it.

YABU - you can't pick and choose when to work

YANBU - the doctor told you not to go in. They should be more understanding.

If they are paying you, then yes, they can. I was put on garden leave for the whole of my last month. The colleague who left before me arranged to come in after the office was empty to collect her things.

If you've been told not to go in does that mean you have a sick note? If so then their insurance might not cover them

Will they let you in just to collect personal possessions?

No sick note. I told the doc I was leaving in under a week and I wanted to do my last day. They said just rest one day and then do a light day at work.

You don’t need a GP sick note for 1 day off

I'm a bit baffled by the doctor really.

If your blood pressure is not under control to the extent they've told you you should not go to work, I'd expect them to want to get to the bottom of it.

If you’re getting paid then they can probably say this. I’d tell them you’re popping in to say goodbye and get your stuff.

I did think it’s a bit odd the GP would say just rest today and go in tomorrow for a lights day work

Yes, I would expect any GP to want to monitor the blood pressure of a pregnant woman, if it's too high to go to work.

This. One days' rest is not going to materially affect blood pressure.

Anyway, just go in to collect your things and say goodbye, then go home again.

The doctor said that they would sign me off for 2 weeks. I explained I only had 2 days left at my job and would prefer not to just disappear.

They understood this and said that they really wanted me to have at least 1 day resting as if I am resting more I can eat which stabilises my BP. It is very reactive going from close to too low up to too high. I have a high pressure presentation today and the doc was concerned about the impact.

When I say a light day tomorrow. I promised them no ladders or scrambling around. I don't want to say too much about my job but tomorrow should be final results on a project we have been doing for ages.

Thing is though it’s likely due to the work!
OP, I’d suggest saying you’ll pop in at lunch time and pick up your stuff and say goodbye then, or near close of business … bullying fucks up your stress responses and you sound like you’ll be well shot of that place!

It doesn't matter what it's 'likely' due to, the doctor should want to get to the bottom of it and find out exactly what it's due to.

Wanting to sign the OP off for two weeks due to high blood pressure during a pregnancy, needs investigation.

If they still pay you yes they can tell you not to go in. They should arrange your stuff to get to you though. Could you meet your colleagues for a goodbye lunch off-site another day?

High blood pressure in pregnancy is dangerous. I suppose your employer does not want to be held responsible for potential consequences. Has your doctor actually put in writing that you are fit to take one day off then go in for a " light day". Has your doctor defined in writing what a light day is? Tbh I can understand why your employer is being risk averse. I agree with pp that you should make other arrangements to collect your things and say goodbyes once you are no longer employed. Can you ask a trusted colleague to box up your property for collection?

Oh I will be very well shot. Going to a new job in a few weeks, better pay, interesting project and no petty bullying boss.

They have been upset at me for months. I won't go into too much detail but I prioritised something they didn't see as important and it turned out I was right.

Indeed … but think it through … if she was to finish work in 2 days time, her BP will reduce immediately if it’s WRS and if not then further investigations! High BP isn’t high as such until it’s been monitored over a short period of time as it is variable and fluctuates all of the time

Just an update in case anyone wanted to know.

I did go in as my boss hadn't actually said i officially couldn't. They were grumpy and rude but I had a lovely last day saying goodbye and celebrated our project finishing. Boss is definitely upset at me but fortunately not the one writing my reference.

My BP was in acceptable bounds for the day and is coming down again. I think WRS was part of the problem. I feel a bit weak for letting it get to me but having a bullying boss is hard.

I am also pleased with myself for leaving before it really badly impacted my health and that I will be able to focus on my pregnancy and in a few weeks my new job. Hopefully with less drama

Glad it worked out for you and that you went in and said your goodbyes/had closure.

Realistically, what could they do? Sack you? Since they've been awful to you, it's right that you should end on your own terms and not allow them to ruin your last day, so well done!