Sick leave while on probation

[LizzieButton]

Happy Monday and I hope you are well x

I started a job in April. The structure of the company is owner, manager (me) and twelve staff. Two and a half weeks ago I had an accident on the way to work where I required stitches in my face and broke my elbow. I am still in a sling and am still on strong painkillers (doctor said it's tissue damage and will pass soon). Last Friday I felt under pressure to show I'm a good new employee so I told the owner I would return tomorrow as she is going on holidays (this is her first time taking a holiday in three years). Today has come around and I am still in considerable pain and haven't been sleeping great.

Would you advise I go in and stick it out as I'm on probation or take the sick leave? I don't get paid sick leave but I have savings so I don't mind this. My doctor told me he would write me a cert for six weeks if I wished but I feel under pressure as I know it's very easy to find an excuse to let someone new go but I'm in a lot of pain. I also will have to get taxis there and back as I still cannot cycle.

Any advice greatly appreciated. As you can guess I'm a bit stressed!

I don't really think the probation period is the issue here. To me it's key that they have finally gone on holiday thinking you are holding the Fort.
Can the company really cope with you both out? How long are they on holiday for?
Is it office work of foes it involve dangerous machinery that shouldn't be around on strong painkillers?

Personally I would go in each day on reduced hours and explain to them on their return that quite happy to just be paid for hours did as didn't want to let them down but was also in a lot of pain so couldn't do full time...

I also don’t think the probation makes any difference here, it is either an issue for the owner or it isn’t, probationary period has no statutory meaning.

It is hard to comment further without knowing a bit more about your job and the cover in place, but I certainly wouldn’t be going straight for six weeks signed off, that seems really excessive for stitches and a broken elbow and I doubt you will be in pain for that long.

@Aprilx

I also don’t think the probation makes any difference here, it is either an issue for the owner or it isn’t, probationary period has no statutory meaning.

It is hard to comment further without knowing a bit more about your job and the cover in place, but I certainly wouldn’t be going straight for six weeks signed off, that seems really excessive for stitches and a broken elbow and I doubt you will be in pain for that long.

I think it's because my job is quite physical the doctor is just trying to be flexible, I'm sure others would probably just want the six weeks off especially if they were paid.

I didn't realise this about probation as I know we have let staff go without notice while on probation there but it was due to more serious issues.