Sick leave for stress during COVID19 pandemic?

[Mewstar]

Hi everyone.

Does anyone else have sick note approved by their GP to be off for more than a few days due to stress / similar reasons to not risk yourself from exposure at work?

I am 29 weeks pregnant and only have a month to go before annual leave & mat leave starts. I don’t feel comfortable heading into work no matter what as it’s a hospital I work in, and full of sick people.

Wondering if I can get extended sick note from GP to be signed off for several weeks.

Would be grateful if you can share your story.

I'm not sure you'll need a note.
The government has advised all pregnant women to work from home where possible for at least 12 weeks. I also work in a hospital and when I spoke to occupational health yesterday they advised HR that I shouldn't come to work for the time being.
So I'd say speak to your line manager, HR and occupational health if possible - do you have options to work from home?
For what it's worth there's little evidence you or your baby will be at increased risk - the government is just being very precautious. You can find reassuring info on the royal college of obstetricians website (rcog).

Sorry, meant cautious not precautious!

I'm 18 weeks and suffer from pre natal mental health issues, I have just been signed off for a few weeks at least on full pay as I wasn't coping well at work.

Hey I'm 29 weeks too and work in a hospital. I'm working from home. Do you not have the capacity to do the same? Or be redeployed to a less risky area. For example we've redeployed nurses who obviously can't be front line to switch board as they can't work from home, and can't afford to lose pay/have sickness as it will kick start their mat leave?

If work are expecting you in, call occy health and ask for risk assessment and advice and say based on government guidelines until risk assessment in place it is not safe for you to be in and will take emergency leave until that is granted.

Let me know if I can help in anyway