Do I need a doctors note?

[Curtains14]

I only work mon - wed (part time).

Thursday last week i became ill with gastroenteritis. I was so poorly and Monday I had to call in sick from work. I am still not well enough to go back to work today as I am still suffering the aftermath and have also got conjunctivitis which the Dr has given me drops for.

When i phoned work this morning they said I need a Dr’s note because it is the 7th day I have been ill. Is this correct?

I’ve only been off work 3 working days and I really hope to be better next week. I’ve never been off work 3 days or been sick for this long before and really confused :(

Lots of workplaces include your days off op. To me this sounds like you’ve only missed 3 days of work. If you’d called in sick last Wednesday, and then mon tues wed this week I could understand where they’re coming from. Maybe they’re planning to include the rest of the week and the time from when you were last in work until this week but that sounds a bit rubbish really.

You can get a self cert from your Gp reception, it should cover you for first 7 days off work. If I were your Gp I’d be confused about what days they actually wanted covering with a sick note, might be worth clarifying with them.

Hope you feel better soon

Our work would count the sickness from when you say the illness started. So by telling them it was last Thursday you have now reached Day 7 (calendar days).

By working in calendar days the system is completely fair for full time and part time staff. If you only worked one day per week and it was 7 working days then you could be off 7 weeks without a note! So everything is done in calendar days and starts from beginning of illness.