Advice re sick cert / phased return

[alfie78]

Hi,

I have been off work now since November, my last line was dated December 6th and on it the doctor ticked phased return.
I had to visit occupational health last week (after waiting 3 weeks) who reported back to my work that I would need a 4 week phased return. My work received the report yesterday. I called them today to say that my sick line was up and to inquire as to when I should come back.
I was told that OH had recommeded a phased return and I would have to get a line from my doc now to allow this. Yet my docs line was up today! As far as he will be concerned I should be signing off now not asking for another line.
As my doctors request for a phased return was not considered until they got a report from their doctor why do I need to get another line? Plus the fact my doctor could say no.
It seems like this could leave me looking silly. I know that a work place does not have to take a request for a phased return and can treat it as a sickline but my line is up now.
Should I go back to my doctor to explain and ask for a line, should I even have to get another line? I have been told I won't be paid if I don't. They have me on less than half pay anyway after the 6 week mark so that wont be such a loss lol
Any advice or pointers here would be most welcome

I am a bit lost. You were signed off sick for a month and that ran out today - yes? You've been seen by occupational health who have advised a phased return but your employer is asking for a fit note to enable the phased return? Is that right?

It does sound odd to want a sick note and a phased return, but these days it's a fit note that says what you can do, so a bit different to the sick note. If you're on a phased return you're not off sick so there's no need for a fit note unless they want to get your GP's opinion too. Which might not be a bad idea.

I suspect that as your employer has taken steps to refer you to occupational health the request for the fit note is to ensure you are actually fit to be at work. It may well be a condition of their liability insurance.

Make an appointment with your GP and ask for a fit note. Then follow his advice. So long as occupational health, your GP and your employer are all saying the same things you're ok. It's when they all start saying different things you might find it tricky.

Does that sound right to you OP?

I am lost too, but I think you are saying 2 weeks sick, GP signs you back for a phased returned for 4 weeks however because you where not seen by OH you remained off sick?
OH have now seen you and recommended a phased return but your fit note has run out?
in which case phone the GP and explain to the receptionist the situation and ask if the Doctor can provide another note, in most cases the GP will just issue one as they are your advocate and don't give a monkeys about your employer, without seeing you, this save wasting an appointment on what is basically an admin issue, they may want to see you but you have given them the choice.
If you have one of the rare GP's who refuse to help you out, you will unfortuanatly have to thrash it out with your line manager, HR and involve OH but remember they only advise so it is unlikely they will change this as the onus is on the management to take this advise or not.
they can deal with it in many ways, the most common are for them to take the hit with the loss of your SSP, if you have annual leave left to use that to cover hours you are not working or they can pay you pro rata for the hour worked but hopefully it won't come to that,

the last is they might just ignore OH advise and bring you back full time against all advice and I have only seen a few managers do that and nearly always in what they believe to be the best interest of the employee, such as financial issues, needing leave because of a already booked holiday, OH can't advise on these factor as we only deal with health.
Good luck hope it gets sorted out.

Hi,

Thanks for replying and sorry if my post was misleading.
I have been off since November. My last line was dec 6th - jan 6th on it the doctor recommended a four week phased return and ticked the phased box. I gave it in to my work and they told me they would treat it as a sicknote until I saw OH. I saw OH Dec 28th and they recommeded a 4 week phased return as well. They reported this to my work.
So my sickline was up yesterday and now if I want to get paid whilst on phased return my work has said I need another line from my doctor stating phased return yet again.
My query concern is asking the doctor for this as I'm asking him to reiterate what he said last month and secondly should I need another line. It is my works doc who has held this process up.
Missingmumfox I suspect my GP ( a grumpy man lol will not write a new line but I'll chance him!) but I will try on monday. I did ring the surgery and explain yesterday and asked for a line, they passed my msg onto GP who asked me to call in.
Isladoit I will see GP on monday so hopefully he will be ok.
Must admit so cross at this whole thing, I really feel I shouldnt need another note but I will chance it.
Thanks to biith of you so much for your responses - much appreciated.