Time off work for miscarriage - Do I need to tell my employer the reason?

[Willow2015]

Hello, I'm brand new here so I hope that I am posting in the correct place and can get some help/advice!

We lost our baby at 8 weeks and I have been signed off work with 'procedure' as the reason (very stressful time and experience for us both). Trouble is, my employer has said that because it is a 'procedure', they legally need to know what procedure this was. I don't want to lie, but only myself and my partner know what has happened (despite being very close to our families, we don't want anyone else to feel the pain that we have). Does my employer legally need to know why? I'd rather hand my doctor's note and leave it at that.

Thank you to anyone who can help!

Won't it say why on the doctor's note?

I had to do a return to work form after mine and it was all centred around anticipating whether there would be any ongoing effects, further time off or any changes to be made at work. You couldn't really answer truthfully without alluding to what the op was for. Maybe it's something like that?

And I'm sorry for your loss, I hope you're doing ok?

Just tell them it was a gynaelogical procedure, that should be enough.

Take care of yourself

I had to tell my work to get full pay (rather than SSP) but I was very unhappy about doing so, felt it was wrong, and left very soon afterwards.

I suppose they are asking in case it had been cosmetic/elective. For example, when DH had his vasectomy he couldn't take time off as "sick" leave but only as annual leave. Is there a way you can describe it as non-optional "ill" procedure without being completely specific? I wish afterwards I had put "emergency gynae admission" or something.

I'm very sorry for your loss

They don't legally need to know anything what bollocks!! The only thing they could argue is that without the full facts they can't properly risk assess whether you fit to be back to work when the certificate is over.

I'd also just say it's a gynaecological procedure and nothing more, if they keep pressing then can you escalate to HR?

If it's discretionary sick pay then they can ask for further information. The employee doesn't have to provide that but then there's the risk they don't get company sick pay. (The other posters are correct. They don't legally have to know, it's just the company's own procedure)

If you say essential gynae procedure you shouldn't have to say any more (and if the boss has any sensitivity at al they will not ask).

Bollocks! I remember one of the staff in personnel telling me it was none of my manager's business what I was off with, so long as I sent in a sick line.