Employer is asking for a fit to work certificate from my GP.....

[McPhee]

I'm currently about 8 weeks pregnant, and at home with a virus. I've been ill since friday, but was at work. Anyway, now she's been advised by nanny tax that I need one of these after one day off work sick

I'm working a 52 hr week, and yes it is taking its toll on me at the moment, but financially I've got little choice but to get on with it for now. Her kids are never under cared for, I'm very conscientious and everything still is getting done.

Have any other nannies had this request?

I think you can self certify up to 3 days however what provision does your contract make for sickness and certification?

It would be odd for 1 day of absence to require a fit note unless she knows you're pregnant and is being extra careful.

Direct.Gov says
"The fit note can still be used as evidence for why you cannot work due to illness or an injury. You still won't need the fit note as evidence until after your seventh calendar day of sickness."

That is as evidence for why you cannot work. Whereas I think you are after evidence of why you CAN work if you have taken one day off sick and will be back to work as normal rest of the week.

I am wondering if your employer is wanting something to confirm that you are fit to work during your pregnancy. Do they know you are pregnant? Statutory Maternity Pay info does say some things about being sick due to pregnancy related reason, but you aren't due to give birth in the next 5 weeks, so I don't think that part applies.

Yes she knows I'm pregnant, it just seems a rather strange thing to ask for. I've never even heard of it before, and I think my gp will also find it a bit of an odd one.

Phone your GP, ask when they can issue a fit note. Have them tell you it is after 7 days illness only. Tell that to your employer.

A fit note is just the new term for a sick note but the note now has more options (as 'can't return to work' or 'can but only if XYZ is done')

I think FIT notes are good in principle, and imagine they can help PG women in some circs. EG if you had SPD and work in Tescos a fit note would say that you are ok to work on the tills but not to perform any packing or anything requiring lifting. A garage employee would get a fit note saying you need to move off forecourt into office-based environment, and so on. Then if the employer fulfills their side of the bargain you can return to work safely.

Aside from this, you need to work out if you are able to continue working for 52 hours - I imagine you are doing 8-6.30 or similar. Many PG women do these hours and more, but if your charges are very active and don't nap during the day and you think you are going to struggle then you need to be realistic and discuss this with the mother before it gets you too down. Otherwise you may end up getting exhausted/compromising your immune responses which could lead to loads of bugs/viruses.

Show your employer the direct gov quote. Sick/fit notes apply after first 7 days. A drs letter written before that would Poss be dealt with as a private note and you could. be charged. Isn't she just glad you want to get back to work? Hope you are feeling much better