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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Work place dont accept sick notes

26 replies

Emilyjane11 · 05/03/2015 14:24

Hi ladies,

I am looking for some advice. At the start of my pregnancy I was signed off by my doctor due to severe sickness when I returned to work a week later and handed them my sick note they said they dont accept them. I asked if it could be left in my file and they said 'no'. This rang a bell as I knew someone who was signed off for 6 weeks the year before with depression and was told they could have the time off sick but they wouldnt accept a sick note, I was told when I was off that "doctors dont know best and only you know if your fit for work". Fast forward to now, im 22 weeks and have extremelly bad spd. I havent been signed off as i have not seen my gp but I know this is a possibility due to me not being able to walk properly at the moment.

My question is, is it legal for a workplace to not accept a sick note. I work for a very large energy company which makes me think there must be some kind of loop hole that they have found in regards to this.

They treat you like a liar when you have time off sick anyway, always have but its going to cause me anxiety if they tell me that they wont accept a sick note for the kind of conditions because if im anything like today I am going to find it very hard to get to work let alone do my job.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

OP posts:

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hellospring · 05/03/2015 14:29

No they can't 'not accept' if you've been signed off.

Any pregnancy related issues cannot be held on your record.

GooodMythicalMorning · 05/03/2015 14:31

Im pretty sure they cant do this. They sound awful to work for.

CurlyWurlyCake · 05/03/2015 14:33

Do you get paid when off sick?

Not accepting sick notes doesn't work in their favour. Any one could say they were signed off sick...

Bilberry · 05/03/2015 14:34

What do they do if you are off sick? Do they just take your word for it? It sounds like they are opening themselves up to all sorts of liabilities.

sockmatcher · 05/03/2015 14:36

You can self cert for first 7 days. Is that where this has caused confusion

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 05/03/2015 14:39

No, I'm pretty sure they can't just decide to "not accept" a sick note.

Do you get SSP whilst off sick? Or full pay? Or no pay?

If no pay you have more an issue.

Original poster

Emilyjane11 · 05/03/2015 14:39

No I realise that. They still say 'you can only self cert for 7 days' but then they dont accept a sick note... Its odd.

Yes they just take your word for it. I know nothing pregnancy related can go on my fine but I dont understand why they dont accept them and i dont understand how they can get away with it

OP posts:

TywysogesGymraeg · 05/03/2015 14:41

That's ridiculous. Do you have a union rep you could go to for advice?

Is this coming from your manager, or from HR? I'd ask to see the policy for managing sickness in the workplace, and for managing preganant women (two policies), for starters. If it's a big place, they'll probably be on line somewhere - you won't have to ask.

Original poster

Emilyjane11 · 05/03/2015 14:45

Yeah I have checked them they also say that sick notes are not accepted. The pregnancy one basically says that nothing can be kept on fine and the normal sickness process wont be followed, which means triggering an absence stage and disiplinary etc.

OP posts:

weeblueberry · 05/03/2015 14:45

Are you in the UK?

Their argument of "doctors dont know best and only you know if your fit for work" is utterly ridiculous because normally when a doctor signs you off sick that's normally done during a conversation with yourself where they ask whether you feel up to work. So it's not like they're doing it against your will.

Original poster

Emilyjane11 · 05/03/2015 14:45

I get full pay when off sick. Up to 6 months then it goes to ssp

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/03/2015 14:53

I would be having a word with ACAS in these circumstances. Their helpline number is 0300 123 1100 and all calls to them are confidential.

HumpheadWrasse · 05/03/2015 14:54

Well ... if they accept their employees' word when they are sick rather than relying on the sicknote - and if they are giving you full pay for six months - in the nicest possible way, what is the issue? That's not a bad deal for the employee, is it?

Quitelikely · 05/03/2015 14:59

Google ACAS. They are legal experts. Free advice and can tell you in a beat.

MrsCakesPrecognition · 05/03/2015 14:59

I would think that they would have all sorts of problems with their insurers if a signed-off person had some sort of accident or relapse at work.

whattodoowiththeleftoverturkey · 05/03/2015 15:00

Are you sure they don't mean that they don't accept certificates unless the absence is over 7 days? Sounds very odd.

anothernumberone · 05/03/2015 15:07

Post it by mail.

DeliciousMonster · 05/03/2015 15:09

Have you got a copy of the sickness policy and procedure?

Cornberry · 05/03/2015 15:51

That is unbelievable. I have been signed off work for two months with severe sickness. The first week I tried to brave it and was told if I had been signed off I was not allowed to go back to work unless the doctor deemed me fit to return to work.

Number3cometome · 05/03/2015 16:13

It does go on your sick record, but cannot be used against you.

You self certify for the first week, that is probably what they meant.

ImpatiencePersonified · 05/03/2015 17:16

I can help answer this my lovely and you workplace aren't being as sinister as it sounds... Honest.

So there is no longer a sick note, what you have is fitness to work statement. So in the old days the doctor would say "oh yeah v I'll, can't come to work for 2 weeks" but these days the doctor marks on your fitness to work statement that you either are or are not fit to work the date you were assessed - this is because they really don't know what it's like to do your job, an employer may be able to make changes to fit your situation depending on your illness.... In short its a daft government form to replace another daft form. The main difference being this document belongs to you, and isn't for the benefit of your employer. They can ask to see it if they want to contest sick pay but they don't necessarily need to hold it on file.

Google Statement of Fitness for work and all should come clear. In the meantime, to be clear, an employer cannot penalise you for pregnancy related illness.

Hope this helps

ImpatiencePersonified · 05/03/2015 17:19

Sorry for my typos I'm on me phone and have sausage fingers!

Original poster

Emilyjane11 · 05/03/2015 18:22

Yeah impatience thats what it is. I dont think they are being sinister and to answer someones question about what the problem is. Its because your hounded every day when your off sick you get two calls a day asking how you are and when you will be returning. The same conversation every day. They ask for doctor times and what medication you have been prescribed and all sorts.

OP posts:

lougle · 05/03/2015 18:45

That isn't quite true. The doctor signs the fit note to day either that you are completely unfit to do your job, or that in X, y, z circumstances you would be fit. E.g. 'no nights' or 'must not carry weights over 5kg'. The employer must then either modify your job to accommodate those restrictions until fitness returns, or you stay off work until it had resolved.

so, a delivery driver who can't lift may be put on light duties, in the warehouse/office until their condition is resolved, or if that isn't possible, will stay off sick until they can lift again.

lougle · 05/03/2015 18:46

I actually think it's one of the better ideas this government has come up with (says someone who is very much not a fan!)

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