to think I should be allowed back to work before my sick note runs out

[Reallytired]

Last week hurt my back and I am 27 weeks pregnant. I pulled a muscle in my back and I ended up in excruicating pain and found it next to impossible to walk. My legs also went numb and I got stuck under a table. (I had been fixing a PC)

Anyway I went to my GP and was signed off for a week. Ie. I return to work on Friday. However I feel better now, but work say I cannot return unless my GP gives me a well note. It takes more than a week to get a routine appointment to see my GP. So I am stuck at home when I could be doing something useful at work.

Work say that I cannot return early due to insurance reasons. It seems that its a pity there cannot be a degree of flexiblity with sick notes. I don't blame my GP its very hard to estimate how long someone needs to get better. It seems a pity that the GP could not write a note ie. 5 to 7 days.

I only really needed to be off sick for four days. I feel like a skiver being at home.

You need a note from your GP certifying that you are now fit to return to work if your sick note hasn't expired. Otherwise you are not covered by your employer's insurance and they won't want you there.

Telephone the surgery and ask.

Not sure of legalities but it was also the practice at my old employer, if you're signed off sick then you can't come in. We had someone with a broken arm with a sicknote for a month. He came in after a week cos he was bored and they sent him home.

Put your feet up and watch some trashy films!

The doc might not need to see you, or at least they may have special provision for these things which obviously can't wait the usual week. Right the surgery, they should be able to advise you.

Go out and do something fun instead.

The surgery and my employer are fussing because I am pregnant.

I know its not unreasonable, but its bl**dy annoying.

Prehaps I should if I am unreasonable to want to pull my hair out with boredom.

The Dr can write a note to say he's examined you and you're fit to go back IIRC. That would cover any insurance problems for work.

can you do any work from home to make you even more dazzling as an employee when you get back? eg start researching a project you've been putting off or something?

I think for legal and general safety reasons you have to stick at home, but no reason to be bored.

Of course they are fussing with you because you are pregnant - and rightly so!

I suffered from inflamed ribs when I was pregnant, and basically had 5 months of hell because there was nothing that could be given to me medically - paracetamol barely dented the pain.

You might feel ok, but if you do anything else to your back you can't be given an anti-inflammatory like other people can because it would harm your developing child. Do you want to risk that????

Go and find something else to do - surely you can find something????

You can come and commiserate with me... I'm 33 weeks and have been signed off for the rest of my pregnancy!

The novelty of The Wright Stuff truely has worn off...

(if you do come, please bring cake)

have to agree with your work. for insurance purposes this would be no different to your employers deciding that you were well enough to work. i.e. you'd be working when a medical professional had deemed you not up to it and any injuries sustained would undoubtedly not be covered by the insurance company.

make the most of your free 2 day holiday and get some rest or do something fun.chances are you'd only have to pay a consultation fee for your gp to give you the wellness note, why not spend that cash on yourself.

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering so badly firstontheway and ThePgHedgeWitchIsCrankyBeware.

I have no idea where you live, but here is some virtual cake and chocolate. (Prehaps we should stay clear of the virtual wine.)