Signed off work (spd)

[ameliathomas84]

Hi
I followed a post before where a lady worked for nhs and was off sick (can't remember why) but preg related! She had been called into a HR meeting! So I just wondered if anyone had had experience of this? I'm feeling a little pressured atm and have been contacted by manager to say have meeting with hr this month regarding it all

Don’t worry because you are looked at differently with pregnancy related illness, I have been off myself with pre eclampsia and my job has called a few times to make sure it is pregnancy related (as are on all my certs) and a friend that works in hr told me it’s because you basically have extra protection when it’s related to pregnancy. I may get called in myself in the future but I sure know that made me feel a lot better. It’s the last worry you need in a difficult pregnancy, but please try not to feel too pressured as it’s just one of those things, and know that you are treated differently so as annoying as it is to go in, everything will be ok and you can’t be made go back to work if you are certified unfit!

@Yummymummy2020 thanks for your reply! I have 6 weeks till my mat leave, I have been off for 8 weeks so far, I asked for help via occupational health from day dot which they don't wanna know ( believe it's caus of risk to baby) however manager wants me to ring every week! Can't see why when sick note is 4 weeks each time! She rang today to say I have to attend a meeting with her and HR to see how they can help
To get me back to work! Sick notes for 2 weeks longer and doc basically said I'm unrealistic to think there will be any changes until baby is born however the way she talks it's like they want me back she said well occy health thought you worked be back however you put another sick note in! Like it's my fault I work in a and e so it's impossible for me! I'm just stressing so much

Hi Op. I think it's quite normal to be asked to keep in touch (as regularly as they need), but you definitely should be protected if it's pregnancy related. At my place of work maternity leave will start automatically if you are absent due to a pregnancy related illness in the 4 weeks prior to
your estimated week of childbirth... may be worth checking what your policy is if you've only got 6 weeks left as they may force it early on you. Hope your last few weeks are easier, sounds like you might be having a pretty rough ride xxx

Honestly you don’t need to worry!!your doctor and consultant at the hospital will always trump occupational health, if you are unfit you are unfit and that is just that! Now, the business of ringing every week is a pain, that would really stress me out and I’m
Not sure what obligation you have there when the note is four weeks long, of course they need to be kept in the loop but your note should be more than sufficient for that. I’d have a glance over your sick policy just to see is there anything in there about weekly phone calls, I doubt there is and this would be great for you, hr would be a good port of contact to ask are these calls necessary and they are putting you under undue pressure in a situation you can’t change at the moment! I wouldn’t be happy if I had to make weekly calls especially if it was being implied I should be back at work! These things happen in pregnancy and there is a duty of care towards you from the employer, if you are in a union of sorts they also would be able to give info to you on your situation! It’s easier said than done but do your best not to stress because outside all the annoyance you are protected and if you are not able for work that’s the bottom line of it ❤️

Thanks! Yes I have to start mat leave at 36 weeks however that was my original plan anyway as I will be having baby early at 37 weeks anyway so this isn't a problem, luckily I am also entitled to full sick pay as this would of been a total stress too, yes I agree I understand keeping them in loop but weekly when sick note says 4! I think honestly it's my manager she's not very supportive with sickness anyway and wasn't particularly supportive with my pregnancy ( putting off risk assessments, telling me when she was pregnant she didn't have changes made etc, even forcing me to look after barriered patients which I got noravirus at 14 weeks pregnant!
Just don't want to feel pressured into anything as I know I'm not fit to work however she doesn't seem to get it

That's sucks hun. I'm really lucky in that my manager is very supportive (I'm only a few weeks but had to have a couple of Emergancy appointments etc) but there are others that I'd feel really awkward around. You shouldn't be made to do anything that will cause you undue stress, and your manager needs to be careful! I wouldn't be concerned about a meeting with HR- you've done nothing wrong, and as @Yummymummy2020 said- you really are protected. If you're going on leave then anyway, it may be more of a tick box to say they've 'supported' you (as ironic as that may be) xx

@JenDaw true! It could be this I agree hun, ye she's not supportive at all she comes to sickness, oh well supose we will see what comes of it x

You have a right to be accompanied to that meeting by a union rep who will support you and make sure you are treated fairly. I recommend you contact your union and ask for a rep. They will know the system and help ensure the best outcome for you. Any illnesses due to pregnancy are legally protected under discrimination law and your employer needs to take this into account.