Sick note.. how easy it it?

[Sho2207]

Hey, so basically I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have been having a really rough time. I'm feeling more and more sick each day, my back and hips are now starting to play up, I'm having to have more scans and tests done due to findings, and feeling mentally drained with being worried sick about covid at work (to the point of crying everyday when I have work).

I work in a supermarket and as much as 'I don't need to shield' I'm getting more complications in pregnancy which could cause preterm labour so I'm worrying about that as well as catching covid. I've spoken to my manager and he's tried to get me suspended on full pay but HR wouldn't let me. My manager said the best option would be to get signed off sick from the GP.

I've heard a lot of pregnant friends say they've been signed off easily but I'm worrying I don't have a reasonable enough excuse. My mat leave starts at 35 weeks so I'll only need to be signed off for 4 weeks.
Do my reasons sound like a good enough excuse?

Yes. I was signed off twice for two issues which I could have worked from home with if necessary and had the provisions been in place for it (pre covid).
The first time, my GP was writing the note before I'd finished talking and asked what I wanted it to say...

100%. Just explain how much you are struggling to the GP I bet they’ll sign you off for all four weeks straight away! I’m so sorry you’re having such a hard time, you’re in the final stretch now, you’ve got this!!

You absolutely should not have to resort to getting signed off sick. You’re classed as more clinically vulnerable being pregnant so if you can’t do your job safely or alternative arrangements can be made, they must suspend you on full pay. This would last til your maternity leave kicks in. Have they altered your work to make it safe for you to be there? No advice re: sick note but make sure you only do that as a last resort if it would mean a reduction in income.

Official guidance says pregnant women shouldn't be working after 28 weeks. You should be put on leave on full pay. If you get signed off sick after a certain date, you have to start your maternity leave then.

You need to Google pregnant and screwed or search for it on Instagram, fab advice and a template letter for your employer xx

I was about to say the same as pp about 28 weeks. We've just been emailed today advising that the advice for women 28 weeks pregnant or more is to WFH.

You said you are getting 'more complications that could cause ore term Labour' presumably those complications would be the reason for a GP to sign you off.

I went on sick at 20 weeks for morning sickness soo easy wish I had done it sooner like 10 week pregnant lol xx

Like others have said you should be suspended on full pay after 28 weeks, they really are not looking after you. But if you do feel a sick note is ur only option a gp would have no problem signed you off x

@Eileen101
Thank you! Fingers crossed I get signed off🤞🏼

@EllyNC
Thank you, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so low to be honest but i know as soon as I get signed off I’ll feel the weight fall off 🤞🏼

@swiftt
I thought it was clinically extremely vulnerable?
We have screens and sanitizer but none of that does anything when customers don’t distance from you, we had a customer yesterday who was coughing so much i didn’t want to even be in the store.
Either way HR have said that I can’t go off even after having complications that make the pregnancy high risk 😔 our company sick pay is normal base pay so I shouldn’t lose any money hopefully

@husbandcallsmepickle
This is the same guidance I gave my manager to pass onto HR, still made no difference 🙃😔

@SuperbGorgonzola
Where do you work if you don’t mind me asking?

I work in a school. I'm not pregnant now but I was in third trimester in March when the advice was to shield. We've had a reminder sent out today about informing school if you're pregnant and that the risk assessment will advise WFH after 28 weeks.

@Pinklittle
Thank you! Xx

@yankeedoodledandee
I hope so! Thank you

@shazzz1xx
Ah hopefully the will sign me off then, I think I’m worried because some GP’s just won’t sign you off for love nor money🙄 xx

@boymum88
Yeah it’s hard because I know I should fight it more but I feel there’s nothing else my manager can do for me. He’s done so much more than what any other manager has done for me and he’s made sure if I go sick that it won’t effect any attendance x

@SuperbGorgonzola
I think because I can't work from home they're making it difficult for us pregnant staff 😔 x

@Sho2207 see here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees

You should be suspended on full pay if alternative working arrangements can be provided by your employer to allow you to socially distance and protect yourself.

If you won’t lose out income wise by getting a sick note, then I’m sure your GP will oblige. Good luck!

I feel so sorry for u, I would just get a sick note then if you have tired all other options ( also I believe they can't use pregnancy related sickness as a trigger and doesn't count in a way) a gp will really not mind giving u one. You need to look after ur self and continue to cook ur baby in a environment that you feel happy and safe in. Go off sick and forget about work and try to enjoy the rest of ur pregnancy xx

Just check your works policies to make sure maternity won't be triggered early if you get signed off sick

@swiftt
Yeah that's what I've been reading, ridiculous isn't it. They just don't care 🙄 as long as I'm getting enough pay then I really don't mind going sick haha as long as I get out of there. Thank you! X

@boymum88
HR tried telling me to take unpaid leave, I told them to shav off 😂 just not fair.
I just want to be able to enjoy my pregnancy without the worries of covid 🙄
I'm already getting excited about going to the doctors Monday morning😂
Thank you! Xx

@DressingGownofDoom

Yeah so my manager said I'd need to take maternity 4 weeks before my due date but I'm taking it at 35 weeks anyway so won't effect me ☺️

The guidelines about being off from 28 weeks only apply if you have other complications or you work in a high risk job that can’t adhere to social distancing e.g healthcare. I work in retail and just finished today at 37 weeks.

You can get a sick note from your dr but if you are off sick after 28 weeks for longer than 2 weeks they can start your maternity leave early.

It’s worth a chat with your gp or maybe even your midwife to see what they recommend.

There alot of misinformation on this thread.
OP, there is no reason why GP won't sign you off as sick if genuine.

They can only trigger maternity leave early if youre off with a pregnancy related illness in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy.

Makes me wonder OP what supermarket you work for...
I too work for a supermarket but more behind the scenes and i dont deal with the public... more like Store support. I have asked to be furloughed as i will struggle with WFH full time, home schooling my DS, having pregnancy related issues regarding pain, not to mention at risk of preterm labour as my son was premature and i have been told it would probably be a no as they havent furloughed 1 employee throughout the whole pandemic... which i find shocking. Not so much that they are going to say no to me, i expect it but they havent offered this scheme to anyone.

As for being off sick and being forced on maternity...
The PP info isnt correct. Check out the gov website, it states there that the only time they can force you on maternity is if you go off sick with a pregnancy related illness within 4 weeks off due date.

Good luck

So update. Clearly isn't very easy for me to get signed off. Doctor said they can't sign me off for risk of covid, as for the aches and pains and sickness she doesn't want to prescribe me any anti sickness so late into the pregnancy, she told me to speak to midwife about getting physio (which probably isn't even happening due to covid).

I'm so upset, I'm now just supposed to worry and stress for the rest of my time at work

Where do you work?!

I also work for a supermarket and they are now isolating all their pregnant women (if they wish to) who are 28 weeks or more on full pay.

@emmafou1807
I work at sainsburys, my manager opened a business case with HR and the options I was given was

1- go to a different store but do the same thing..
2- take mat leave extra early
3- unpaid leave
4- get a sick note
😓 I don't know what else to do, only thing I can think of is try the GP again in a couple days and hope I get a nicer doctor on the phone 😭