Trying to get a sick note for time off work to grieve dads death.

[fancyabru]

My dad past away a few days ago. I need some time out of work but won't receive any pay without a sick note from my doctors. They have no appointments with the clinician for a couple of weeks... obviously if I wait all that time I won't have any sick pay. Is there a way around this? I don't really know what to do, I have no holidays left and Christmas is around the corner.

Does your work have a private gp you can use to get a sick line?

@anon2134 they just told me to use my doctors so I don't think so.

@Afteropening I know but they've said the only way I can get paid through time off for grief is through a doctors note.

What a horrible response. Shame on you.

Some employers have bereavement leave, usually 2/3 days. GPs rarely due sick notes/lines.

Sorry for your loss x

Have you explained the situation to the gp receptionist?

Grief can make you unfit to work.

It's a fitness to work note, not a sick note.

I'm sorry for your loss, OP. If you're in the UK, you legally self certify not fit to work for up to 7 days.

Thereafter you need to talk to your GP's receptionist and ask them what they suggest, there may be a way for interim help until you get a full appointment.

Ring up the GPS and say you need a sick note due to the stress and anxiety you are feeling about your dad dying, say you need it asap and can’t wait. It’s perfectly understandable that you don’t feel up to working.
So sorry for your loss

What a horrible nasty post that adds nothing.

@fancyabru you're totally right to ask for a sick note. Ask your doctor if they have any early morning emergency / triage appointments. Those are usually around 8:00 or 8:30am before the practice generally opens to regular appointments.

I was signed off for 4 weeks after my dad died of cancer. It was horrific. It felt very much like an illness. My manager (NHS) who was usually hardcore told me to get signed off. GP didn’t hesitate and also prescribed ADs.

OP I would phone for an emergency appointment. This needs to be sorted ASAP and is a 5 minute job for a GP. Don’t let anyone make you feel you don’t deserve this time to grieve.

So sorry for the loss of your dad 💙

When I needed to see a GP but there were no appointments available, I called the NHS phone line 111 and they were able to find me an appointment at another local surgery on the same day. Can you that?

For most jobs, you can self-certify sick leave for up to five days to begin with.

As a PP mentioned you need to state you are suffering anxiety/MH problems due to grief. This is quite normal. Take care and don’t be surprised if you feel exhausted. Sorry for your loss.

My sympathies, OP. My GP has an online appointment request system and one of the ‘urgent’ indicators is a sick note. On the only occasion I’ve needed an urgent appointment I had it same day. So I’d have thought contacting the surgery to explain would work.

Ignore the ridiculous responses, it's perfectly normal and common to get signed off work by a doctor for grief. I was signed off for 6 months+ when I was widowed, my GP didn't question it and was actually very supportive. Sorry for your loss, and take the time you need.

Do you get any bereavement leave at all? Most places offer 2-3 days at least. After that, you can self-certify for 7 days. That takes you to 10 days or so.

My GP backdated my note when I was bereaved, it is possible to do this - I wouldn't expect you to have an issue because obviously your dad's death is a clear, known date, there's no argument that you need to be off from that date.

If not, you may need to pay for a private GP appointment, this would still be less costly in most cases than losing out on SSP.

What a shitty answer.

Why do we have sick leave? For the times we are unfit for work, either mentally or physically.

Some people may prefer to have the distraction of work; others know they'd be unable to cope, would make mistakes, lose focus, miss deadlines, burst into tears if a colleague spoke kindly to them and more. Those in the latter category are therefore unfit for work and a sick note is not inappropriate, usually written out as "bereavement reaction" or "stress".

I'm so sorry for your loss OP, take care of yourself. How do you get paid, weekly or monthly? If the latter, can you take the first available appointment and ask the GP to backdate the sick note (they can legally do this)?

Op sorry for your loss! You can take 7 calendar days without a doctor's note and then phone the doctors receptionist and explain you need a fit for work note as they are called now for a couple of weeks as your father has passed away, what you're asking for isn't a big issue as far as a gp is concerned and is perfectly reasonable to ask for. When my mum passed I had a total of 6 weeks off work as I was devastated and just couldn't function properly. 2 years later and I'm still grieving her loss and it has impacted my mental and physical health. I am fortunate that I got paid whilst I was off. Grief isn't a competition, everyone is affected differently. Be kind to yourself.

Rubbish, grief comes under stress and mental health.

Can you get a telephone appointment and go and pick up the sick note? My dad passed away recently and if I’d not been on maternity leave I’d of gone and got signed off as I’ve needed time to come to terms and process everything!

Sending you massive hugs

Oh piss off

Shame on you. Have you ever been bereaved? Most people who suffer a significant loss are unfit for work in the immediate aftermath. What an idiotic thing to post.

You should be ashamed.

Very sorry about your loss OP.

Can you get a telephone appointment OP? I'm currently signed off while my mum is dying and I just had a telephone appointment, the doctor was more than happy to give me a note that I can extend when needed. Explain it all to the receptionist and they should sort it for you to get a telephone consult. I am signed off with 'Stress at home and Anxiety'.

Have a heart ffs.