Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Signed off sick but I’m on my notice period

17 replies

GracefulLens · 27/07/2023 13:46

Hello - I’d be super grateful for some advice on a situation with work.

I recently handed in my notice, as I have a new role and I have 8 weeks left to go - so long! There are many reasons why I have chosen to leave my current role but a lot of it is down to lies, unfulfilled “promises” that were discussed when I was considering taking the job and the stress that comes along with it. A lot has been happening in and out of work and recently it’s all become a bit too much.

I spoke to a GP today who signed me off for 2 weeks however, I don’t particularly want to leave the company in the lurch or give them any reason to give me an unfavourable reference in the future. I don’t however think I’ll remain well enough for 8 weeks to continue to work the whole period. I don’t want to push myself to breaking point, knowing that I’m already unwell enough to be signed off, that I end up taking time off sick at the end of the notice period.

My thought had been to ask that I reduce my notice period by 4 weeks, complete the rest of the handover in that time and be released early rather than take time as sick. I think an earlier leave date would reduce some of the stress and overwhelm I’m currently feeling and would give me some time to recover before my new role starts.

The GP has issued a sick note already that I can use from today if need be, but for the sake of ensuring a smooth transition and not causing unnecessary difficulties, am I better off having a conversation with my boss to discuss an early release rather than taking sick time now for who knows how long?

OP posts:
TheFlis12345 · 27/07/2023 13:48

Can you afford the time off unpaid if you leave early?

swanling · 27/07/2023 13:51

I can't see it would hurt to have the conversation to negotiate an earlier leaving date.

In terms of pay you might not be entitled to more than SSP in your notice period anyway, depending on contract terms.

BoredWithLife · 27/07/2023 14:00

Would you be able to start the new role early too? if so, I'm unsure how this arrangement benefits the sickness aspect of all of this - if not, you might want to check some additional things like company provided life insurance/death in service cover etc (if provided by work) or any others - not having these things for X weeks might be fine, but many people don't really consider them when taking breaks before starting a new job and they can end up mattering.

Summer2424 · 27/07/2023 14:01

Hi @GracefulLens congratulations on your new job x
As the doctor has issued you with a sick note, if you now say you can work i'm not sure how your manager would respond to that.
I would take the sick which hopefully you'll also be paid for and go back for the last 4 weeks.
Hope the above helps x

Summer2424 · 27/07/2023 14:04

@GracefulLens also, your health comes first. I've learnt jobs come and go and health is a priority x

Savoury · 27/07/2023 14:37

So you’re well enough to work 4 weeks from today but only if they agree to shorten your notice period to 4 weeks. Otherwise you’re taking 2 weeks of sick leave from today and will revisit in 2 weeks time as to whether you can work the additional 6 weeks.

Is this unpaid sick leave?

Irrespective of your intentions, this like a bit of a threat. If you need a reference I’d proceed carefully in this situation.

BHRK · 27/07/2023 14:41

No you can’t do this. If the GP has signed you off sick you shouldn’t offer to work instead as long as they do something in return. Just take the time off and try to get yourself together to do the last six weeks (or get signed off by GP again during those 6 weeks)

lastminutewednesday · 27/07/2023 14:43

All you reference can legally say about it is that you had two weeks off sick. And in an interview situation you can explain it. Plus I assume your refs have already gone for your new job if you have handed your notice in? So the likelihood of it being an issue is minimal.

If you are sick you are sick. And should therefore be off sick 🤷🏽‍♀️

PTSDBarbiegirl · 27/07/2023 14:43

Don't go back on MH grounds, if the anxiety is affecting you that much continue to be signed off until your notice period ends.

BHRK · 27/07/2023 14:44

It’s illegal to give a bad reference by the way, all you can do is state facts

Whataretheodds · 27/07/2023 14:48

If you're sick, take the time off now that you've been signed off.

Evaluate when you get to the end of the 2 weeks. As/when you go back to work focus on the handover activity, and don't start anything new.

Offer to start training cover/replacements as soon as you're back. The sooner this is done the sooner you can tail off or propose to finish earlier.

swanling · 27/07/2023 16:47

Fit notes are advisory, op doesn't have to use it.

I didn't read the op's post as planning to make "threats", simply weighing up in her own mind which course of action to take.

And there's nothing illegal about giving a bad reference if it's true.

Original poster
GracefulLens · 27/07/2023 18:49

Savoury · 27/07/2023 14:37

So you’re well enough to work 4 weeks from today but only if they agree to shorten your notice period to 4 weeks. Otherwise you’re taking 2 weeks of sick leave from today and will revisit in 2 weeks time as to whether you can work the additional 6 weeks.

Is this unpaid sick leave?

Irrespective of your intentions, this like a bit of a threat. If you need a reference I’d proceed carefully in this situation.

I don't plan on going to my boss and saying "Here's a sick note and I'll use it if you don't let me leave sooner" but I appreciate your perspective - it's helpful to know how it could come across to someone else.

When I called the GP, my intention was not to be signed off sick. I moved to a completely new area and accessing mental health support is different here and I knew that I would be needing some support of some kind over the next few weeks. I had called about some test results I'd been waiting for and, I had a bit of a breakdown about the work situation (related to why I had the tests in the first place) so he said he would give me a sick note in case I felt I needed it, along with some helpful phone numbers and resources in my area which I'll be accessing.

Knowing that I have a significant amount of time left to endure the current conditions are a contributing factor to how I'm currently feeling so I wondered if it was worth trying to come up with a plan with my employer that would work for everyone, before bringing any fit notes, etc. into the conversation at all.

Sick leave isn't paid, they wouldn't pay me for the time I didn't work if they agreed I could leave early. I won't be starting the new job any earlier but it would afford me some time to rest and recover.

OP posts:
Original poster
GracefulLens · 27/07/2023 18:54

BoredWithLife · 27/07/2023 14:00

Would you be able to start the new role early too? if so, I'm unsure how this arrangement benefits the sickness aspect of all of this - if not, you might want to check some additional things like company provided life insurance/death in service cover etc (if provided by work) or any others - not having these things for X weeks might be fine, but many people don't really consider them when taking breaks before starting a new job and they can end up mattering.

No, and I wouldn't want to. The purpose would be to have the time to rest and recover. I don't currently get any benefits over and above what is statutory so I don't think there's much to consider there.

OP posts:
Original poster
GracefulLens · 27/07/2023 18:57

BHRK · 27/07/2023 14:41

No you can’t do this. If the GP has signed you off sick you shouldn’t offer to work instead as long as they do something in return. Just take the time off and try to get yourself together to do the last six weeks (or get signed off by GP again during those 6 weeks)

I hadn't planned to ask them to reduce my notice period in return for working, but it was more whether, now understanding actually how unwell I have been, and how work is contributing to that, whether it's worth a conversation about a mutually convenient alternative arrangement.

OP posts:
swanling · 27/07/2023 19:24

GracefulLens · 27/07/2023 18:57

I hadn't planned to ask them to reduce my notice period in return for working, but it was more whether, now understanding actually how unwell I have been, and how work is contributing to that, whether it's worth a conversation about a mutually convenient alternative arrangement.

Show quote history

I don't see anything wrong with that. It sounds practical and sensible to me. Not sure why people are giving you a hard time.

GoodChat · 27/07/2023 19:28

I'd take the sick leave and try and see how you feel at the end of it.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page