Sick Note/Fit Note

[Fairyfellowsmasterstroke]

Looking for a bit of advice for a sick/fit note.

I work in a college and am only contracted for 40 weeks per year (term time only). At the moment we are in our 6 week summer holiday and I am scheduled to return to work on Monday 1 September.

A few days ago I had an operation which will see me off work until the beginning of October. My question relates to the issuing of sick/fit notes (I'm slightly confused as to how they work as the last time I needed one was was over 20yrs ago and, in those days it was a sick note from the doctor).

Because, according to my terms of employment, I'm due to return to work after the holidays on Monday 1 September, can I self certify myself for 1 week from that date and then get a doctors note starting the following Monday OR do I have to produce sick/fit notes for the month of August even though I'm not contracted to work during this month??

With hindsight I should have asked the ward for a certificate but I forgot. Also I don't want my employer to register my sickness as starting during August when I'm not actually contracted to work during this month (I may be looking for a future job change and want to keep sickness levels to a minimum).

Thanks in advance.

I would have thought that you don't need a doctors note until you are due to go back to work, but I wouldn't self-certify for the first week, I would get a doctors note now which will cover until 1st October, or whenever you should be able to go back following your recovery time. Sickness during your non-contracted time at work shouldn't be included in any sick leave calculations, as you haven't been off work as a result of the sickness.

Yes don't bother with self-certifying. To be helpful, I would suggest ringing your manager to give them fair warning, rather than ringing in sick on day 1, but say you will forward a doctors note effective Monday 1 September.

Thank you for the replies - I have already notified my employers so that temporary cover can be arranged.

I will contact my GP for a certificate to take effect from 1.9.14.

If my certificate expires on, for example, 30.9.14 and I feel fit enough to return to work on 1.10.14, do I just ask my GP for a "Fit for Work note"? Previously I believe a person could just return to work after their sick note had expired without requiring any further medical documentation

In that situation as you will have been off for a significant period of time, I would suggest going to see your GP just before the note expires bad getting signed off as being fully fit to work.