Will a sick note show what is wrong with me?

[ohihateithere]

Don't want to inform work that I'm pregnant yet I've had 3 days sick already due to some other issues. But now my hyperemesis has kicked in I can't bare the thought of work.

So will a sick note say why I'm sick? Or will it just be brief not fit to work?

Thanks

My fit for work note just said “abdominal distress” as the reason- perhaps just mention to your GP that you don’t want it to state pregnancy reasons on it

I would mention it to GP to be on the safe side

It doesn't have to, no. It won't be classed as pregnancy related sickness though which means it will count towards usual sickness policies. When I was signed off before informing colleagues, I spoke with my manager and HR who were bound by confidentiality, but obviously up to you.

You might just be better off letting them know it is pregnancy related as it won't count against any sickness policy triggers then as pregnancy related is protected. I don't know about yours but in my work 2 times off in 6 months triggers sickness policy stage. I'm sure that your boss (or whoever the note will go to) isn't allowed to tell anyone else your personal medical information so it would only be the need to know person that would x

I'm sure your doctor will put something more general if you ask, but think about whether you really want that. If you tell them that your sickness is pregnancy related, then you will have a level of protection that you wouldn't have for ordinary absence. That might be important?

I work in the NHS and haven't finished my probationary period yet I just wanted to wait until that was out the way before I announced it.

You can self certificate for the first 7 days without a doctors note. Just put sickness.

I think your job is protected if it is pregnancy related? Could be wrong but might be worth checking out in case it is true. I understand why you want to keep it to yourself though!

I had 3 sick days then annual leave that I had booked so I don't know whether it will trigger another absence because I had the annual leave in between?

Did you close your sickness absence or is it still open? If you did, it will count as two absences, if you didn't, then just the one. But as you'll have been off for over a week, you'll need the doctor note.

I'd put it down as pregnancy related. Only your line manager will see it. And they're going to know (and need to know) sooner or later.

Honestly if it’s HG I’d disclose to your manager and be explicit in saying you don’t want anyone else to know. I say this because you don’t know how you will be and having it declared with offer you some protection. I say this as I had four months off work due to HG.

I'm in the NHS and pregnant women are really protected. I would tell your manager. It would look better on your record than multiple sickness episodes as well if it's pregnancy related

I would doubt it - I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, which required surgery. My sick note said “gynae operation”.
Having said that, I told work because I read I had more protection from issues if sick leave is attributed to pregnancy.