Been off sick for three days

[MrsWineasaurus]

Hey,

I’ve been off sick for three days and my employer is asking for a copy of my consultation with my doctor, can they do this? I always thought it was after 7 days they could ask.

As far as I was aware it’s self certification for first seven days and that’s it?

Ignore them..
OR send an email to hr asking if they are are seeking to undermine the mutual trust between employer and employee and whether r they are deliberately breaching the employment contract, or if it is an over zealous employee, could they withdraw the request until such time as it would be appropriate.

Don't do what scary says unless you want to be that employee. Just point out what you said in your original post

Have you given them any indication of when they can expect you back at work, OP? If they are short staffed and you're in a key role, it's a reasonable expectation to know roughly how long you'll be off in case they have to arrange cover.

I think scary is being their normal cheaky self lol

They shouldn't be contacting you once you've told them you'll be off that's for when you get back if they can't cope then it's bad management. I hate places who pressure you for stupid childish reasons. You are off, you are managing it, and they should butt out. I don't know what kind of job it is, but if it's a bit of a two a penny job, I'd be adding this kind of behaviour to a leaving strategy. Either they trust you or they don't, and if they don't, we'll why are they trusting you to work,?

Employers who think being 'tough' is good practice aren't worth working for imo

Agree with Scary

Also I would say if you want to write to my doctor do, if you are insisting I am examined when there isn't a need, then by all means arrange a doctor and pay for their consultation.

Say that as you have been absent for less than a week you will be self certifying according to guidelines. Don't tell them how long you're expecting to be off because that might change. That would be my advice anyway.

Thought I was correct in what I was saying.

I work for a Gp practice so they should know the rules. Will be mentioning it all in my back to work interview. Good thing is I’ve got a good doctor who kindly did me a sick cert to cover me until Monday, I’ve got Laryngitis so completely run down and have only just got my voice back after 3 days!

Thanks girls. X

Employers who think being 'tough' is good practice aren't worth working for imo

I agree to some extent, scary, if someone is off sick, it doesn't speed the employee's recovery any, by putting pressure on them with calls and/or progress chaseups about Fitness notes before they are due.

However, I do see from the employer's perspective if there is a high frequency of absences they need to manage it, and to some that may be perceived as being "tough".

But you don't manage it by being tough. I am ethical, hard working, decent and not a skiver in any way, so when I say I need a sick day I need it. I will work hard for nice employers, if they treat me like a liar, then I will always thinking about leaving. It's more likely to make me have a 'fuck you' sick day if I am 5 mins late and will get a bollocking than if I am 5 mins late and feel guilty. The 'tough' employers never seem to be able to recruit/retain trustworthy staff.. Funny that

I am ethical, hard working, decent and not a skiver in any way, so when I say I need a sick day I need it

I get you scary but there are others who aren't so conscientious and take their allocation of sick days as if they are part of their annual leave entitlement, so companies have clamped down because it costs business a shit-load of money.