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Original poster

If I send in a sick note will my boss stop hasteling me???

20 replies

mummyloveslucy · 27/09/2013 18:34

Hi, last week I had an accident whereby I dropped a cast iron pan of potatoes on my foot. It was very painful, swollen and bruised but not broken. I'm still on crutches, putting it to the floor slightly. The day after it happened, the deputy manager said it's good it's not broken and could I work the following night shift? I told him I was on crutches, and he's been phoning every other day. Now my main manager has phoned to ask when I'll be coming back and to keep phoning in advance.
She also said to get a doctors sick note. When I hand it in, will they leave me alone??? I just get the impression that they think it's not broken so there's nothing wrong! I feel really pressurised to get back.

OP posts:
clam · 27/09/2013 18:52

I sympathise. I actually did break my leg (in three places) earlier this year, but to be fair my boss was brilliant.

Yes, get a sick note, or fit to work note, or whatever they're called now. The trouble is that, even though you don't really want to have actually broken it (and trust me, you don't!!) people do take you more seriously if you have an official label.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 27/09/2013 20:18

I know. That's true! Even though soft tissue damage can be more painful and take longer to heal. To be honest, I wish I did break it.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 27/09/2013 20:41

bump

OP posts:
chanie44 · 27/09/2013 20:57

Well you will need a med cert from the 8th day of absence anyway.

They do sound a bit ott, but they do need to know how long you are likely to be off for so they can arrange for your work to be covered.

Speak to your gp and discuss the type of work you do. Then you can say to your employer that your gp has signed you off for xxx time as your foot has to heal. Tell them that you will keep in contact with them to let them know how your foot is healing and tell them you will contact them on xxx day.

clam · 27/09/2013 20:59

I don't know much about soft tissue damage but my break wasn't straightforward either, as I had surgery for pins, plates and rods. That's why I'm still hobbling and in pain after nearly 9 months. So there are degrees of break- I know some people can be up and hopping about within days. That wasn't the case for me though.
Good luck with it all.

Featherbag · 27/09/2013 21:12

What sort of work do you do? Maybe see your GP and discuss if there are any aspects of your job you could do, and have him/her write a fit note?

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 27/09/2013 21:53

I work night shifts with young people with very challenging behaviour and autism. We have a lad at the moment who attacks you throughout the night. I'd need to be able to move very quickly to avoid getting another injury. Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 27/09/2013 21:56

I was thinking of day shifts as there are more people on with you, but this lad would go for any weakness. He'd try his best to stamp on my foot. Ooh, just the thought of that!!

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 27/09/2013 22:08

Clam- that sounds awful! I've never had a break like that! I did break my arm though and it was less painful than my foot. That was a simple break.

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 28/09/2013 08:04

If it has been more than 7 calendar days then you do need to get a sick note. You say last week so are we talking more than 7 days ago.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 28/09/2013 08:55

Yes, it's been 9 days now. I'll get the sick note on Monday.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 28/09/2013 21:43

When I go back I'm going to wear steel toe capped boots, just in case. Grin

OP posts:
fanoftheinvisibleman · 28/09/2013 21:47

The sick note must physically be in their possession on the 8th day where I work.

fiverabbits · 28/09/2013 21:53

Did you do it in work ?

GlitterFingers · 28/09/2013 22:28

I thought you couldn't contact someone who is on the sick and ask them to work and it's classed as harassment not 100% sure if I dreamt the harassment bit but I know it's only hr who can contact any of my staff if they are off sick. Definitely send in a drs note but I would be telling them you will let them know when you are ready to return to work so they don't need to keep phoning you

GlitterFingers · 28/09/2013 22:28

So about the double and in that sentence I need to proof read Blush

Talkinpeace · 28/09/2013 22:31

You are not permitted to self certify being off sick for more than a week. You are on VERY shaky ground.
But if your work necessitates mobility you need to make sure the Doctors Note specifies what you can do.

marriedinwhiteisback · 28/09/2013 22:37

Many organisations have a procedure that says you must telephone daily until you have a fit note to say that you are unfit for work for a specified period. This is required from the 8th day of absence.

Even if you are signed off for two weeks or even two months I think it is courteous to keep in touch and contact them before the sick note runs out to let them have an idea of when you will be back so they can arrange cover or OH appointment for you. It really isn't on to be off for four weeks and then just send in another fit note without telephoning.

Unexpected · 29/09/2013 08:55

You are required to get a doctor's note if you have been off for this length of time. Is there a reason why you did not do so? Surly, if you want them to stop calling you, this would be the first step?

Spindelina · 30/09/2013 09:32

If you did the damage at work, they need to report it to HSE (RIDDOR), so they need to make sure they've got the medical details right.

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