Written warning whilst signed off by GP

[HotCrossBunFight]

I've been suffering from depression/ anxiety since losing my father suddenly 6 months ago.

I work for an accountancy firm. My performance at work has slipped slightly but, according to my most recent review, I'm still.working at acceptable levels.

I've been open with work about my problems.

Last week I found myself at a crisis point and made an emergency GP appointment. The GP has signed me off work which is to be reviewed after a fortnight.

That night I sent an email to the manager I had directly been working for explaining I had been signed off work for two weeks and another email to the HR department, attaching my Dr's note and explaining the situation. Someone from HR replied and basically just wished me well.

This morning I've received a formal written warning from a senior partner at my firm for being off sick in the middle of a job at work. I feel in a bit of a state. At the moment i want to hand in my notice. I can't imagine going back with this hanging over me and also angry that my condition seems to have been dismissed as it's mental rather than physical? I assume if I broke my leg last week and couldn't have gone in that I wouldn't have received the same.

I don't really know what to do.

Hello, how are you feeling? And any word from HR? I hope they will be in touch (to apologise) soon.

Hello. Im.doing ok thanks. I got a letter today from work. I'm going to open it once DH is home just in case it's another bad one.

Good luck really hope it’s an apology and not anything bad. Hugs and try to focus on getting back to feeling yourself, which is the most important thing and can’t be easy after your loss. Xx

Good luck OP,I hope it is a sincere apology!

Hope it's ok OP xx

How can u plan illness round work? Not reasonable at all.

If it helps Ive worked for 3 accountants over 20 plus years and their HR skills are never the best so dont be afraid to fight for your rights

That sounds awful OP, you poor thing.

Good move waiting till your DH is home.

I hope it’s a grovelling apology x

Wouldn't it be lovely if we could all only be ill when it's convenient for everyone?! They don't have a leg to stand on here surely. You've followed procedure, been signed off etc. Where I work you can't give a formal warning for sickness until way down the line and even then you'd have to have failed to follow policy in some way before we would do this, particularly for depression / anxiety, that's a situation where an employer needs to be even more careful than if it was a broken leg!

I hope this guy gets raked over the coals by HR

fingers crossed for you OP for a swift resolution

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know someone currently off sick with MH issues and in their employee handbook it says they can be disciplined for being off sick (more than 4 weeks, verbal warning, 6 & 8 weeks written warnings and 12 weeks dismissal) which is bad enough, but your company are on very shaky ground here.

If the letter is anything other than an apology/appt with occupational health then I suggest you get legal advice asap.

How awful OP , I hope you get an apology for their blatant mishandling of this and disregard for your well being. Take care of yourself.

The situation has been badly mishandled. I really hope today's letter is an apology and resolution for you OP. Take care of you, you are of no use to anyone if you are not OK.

Hope the letter is a grovelling apology and tells you to get well soon (in a nice friendly non-threatening way rather than with an 'or else' following it!)

I would love to know which section of their employee handbook actually specifies that you can't take time off sick if you still have outstanding work and can't believe they would have it as an actual point your boss would think was enforceable enough to send a warning out over. He is mad and I so hope that hr rip him one to show how unreasonable he was.

A thought - if you have legal insurance on your house insurance, they may be able to help put your mind at ease and support you if necessary.

Good luck!

No apology as such, just told the letter was sent in error and that nothing will be recorded only file in relation to it and to keep in touch in regards to when I will be back in work.

Better than nothing but still feel a bit wobbly about it all.

I know you probably sensibly don't want to rock the boat, but the absence of an apology would make me want to put in a grievance against the person who sent it as it could/has made your mental state worse.

But glad that they've corrected their error. Hope you're feeling much better soon.

the absence of an apology would make me want to put in a grievance against the person who sent it as it could/has made your mental state worse

Yes, me too.

I'm glad it's (basically) sorted though.

That’s such arse covering isn’t it? Well they technically did the right thing even if they didn’t do what’s morally right. Let’s hope they now play by the book. Obviously keep all correspondence if you need it for the future. But the most important thing is that you focus on getting better and don’t go back until you are ready. That should involve a meeting with occupational health and perhaps a phased return if necessary.