Holiday and sickness query - Employment law

[Searchingforananswer2023]

I was off work on annual leave and contracted shingles. Everything had cleared up by the time that I returned to work, however, when I went back work said I had a duty of care to inform them and I was a danger to workers. The virus itself was over, the rash had disappeared. Did I have a legal obligation to inform them with a sick note/formally? I mentioned it to my line manager but as the message did not get to the HR manager I have been criticised for it.

Technically no you didn't have to tell them whilst you were on holiday becasue you were not asking for sick leave (although that could be considered a bit daft as you'd have been able to get your holiday back!). However, given that shingles can be a bit nasty in terms of chickenpox contagion for certain groups, it might have been wise to let them know before you returned, esecially if you work in areas where some people might be at risk. I know it isn't contagious itself and the chickenpox risk passes once the synptoms are gone, but I'd have still done that. But hindsight is a wonderful thing and I don't think that you can be blamed for doing anything wrong per se.