Can my employer put pressure on me to return from sick leave

[Overthehill1]

After being bullied by my line manager I was on the edge of a breakdown and having panic attacks on the commute to work. I was signed of sick due to stress at work. My sick note runs out and I know that I'm still not fully recovered. I informed my employer that I plan to contact my doctor for a further fit note for a few weeks. My employer is asking if we can avoid me getting a further sick note. I now feel under pressure to return although i know Im not really ready.

Should my employer be asking me to avoid getting a further sick note?

You need to check your company's policy. For example where I work they wont stop you from getting another sick note however they will dismiss people if they can no longer sustain their absence.

Your employer is sensible to ask you if there is anything they can do to help you feel able to return to work. There is an expectation that they try to help you back in to the workplace if possible.

This does not mean they can in any way stop you contacting your GP, who may or may not provide an additional fit note depending on whether they deem you capable of returning to work.

But it would be a bit off if your boss didn't seem to care or try to help you return to work at all.

I've had a few team members with both hone based and worked based stress over the years. All have said the longer they were off the harder it was to return to work because they got so stressed about coming back and what other people might be thinking.

The aim of your employer's wellbeing policy should be to support employees in being well enough to work. So, yes, they should be doing what they can to stop you needing to be signed off for a further period - but in a constructive way, rather than simply telling you to come back.

Has the bullying issue been addressed? Do you still have the same line manager?

If I were your manager (not the one who bullied you) I'd be asking what support you needed to come back into work, possibly looking at a phased return if you've been off for a while, and looking at what specific things can be done to manage your stress when you return.

It depends what you mean by 'avoid'. It's fine for them to ask about progress, and about whether there is anything they can be doing to avoid further sickness absence, any changes needed etc.

But they can't stop you being signed off sick, if you're not fit to work you're not fit to work.

Telling them you plan to ask your doctor for a fit note for 'another few weeks' might irritate. You should be going back to your doctor, being honest about how you are, and letting the doctor sign you off for a period he/she thinks is appropriate. By saying you're going to ask for a note for a few weeks it does risk coming across as though you're deciding you don't want to work and for how long, rather than letting the doctor decide.

What's being done about the issues causing the stress? How long have you been off already?