Work now claiming they did not receive sick note...

[Startingagainandagain]

My Gp signed me off for two weeks after I had a major breakdown/tried to self-harm and I have since been under the daily care of the Mental Health Crisis Team.

I immediately contacted my workplace to explain what was happening and arranged for the fit note to be posted to them promptly the day after I was signed off. It was addressed to the relevant HR person, had the right postage and had my return address.

I heard nothing from them then today got a random email from work asking me to send a fit note.

My first fit note runs until the end of the week.

So either they lost the form I sent or did not read it properly...

I am really struggling right now and I don't need the additional stress as I am still barely functioning. I am absolutely certain that the form was sent so I am a bit annoyed to have to deal with more admin...

What is the best thing to do if they have lost it (it is a chaotic place where people work from home quite a bit so it would not surprised me if that had happened). Ask the GP for another copy? would they be happy to do that?

This time I will make sure I email them a picture of the fit note before I put it in the post.

I am also really annoyed that potentially someone else in the office might have opened and read such a confidential bit of medical information by mistake...

arranged for the fit note to be posted to them

Who was posting it?
The GP should be able to do a copy though, they should have been able to send the first one by text so you just emailed it, maybe ask them to do the copy that way, but do screen shot because it expires after a certain amount of time.
I hope things are improving for you

Was it ever posted, and if so addressed to whom? Always either email a scan or take a copy first.

And you can self certify for first week anyway.

Ask you Dr to email you the sick note, copy the attachment onto another email and send to your work.

That way you keep copies of all sick notes and can refer back to the dates.

I would not be putting anything in the post anymore, Royal Mail are useless.

You could also ask your dr if he has a copy on file of your previous sick not and can you get a copy to foward to your workplace in the same email as the new one.

That way they have both and will be able to enter the information needed for payroll.

My first fit note runs until the end of the week.
^^ That is in two days time. Are they reminding you to get another if you wish to continue being off?

The person who posted it is absolutely trustworthy and it was marked as confidential.

No they are definitely saying they did not receive it but the problem is the HR person only goes in the office once a week or so and probably did not pick up all her mail...so it must sitting somewhere at reception or got lost somewhere.

Which annoys me because I really don't want documents like this to go missing/be opened by someone else.

Yes I will ask the GP whether they can email me the notes instead. Safer that way.

You are assuming that it was delivered, it could have got lost in the post or been delayed, it happens all the time unfortunately.

Email is always best but if you post anything in the future, I would take a photo of it first.

I'm a GP receptionist. Your surgery should be able to print you one off or email it or send a link to your phone - for the last two options our surgery requires you to put it in writing though e.g. via the surgery website.
It may have Duplicate stamped across it but will be just as valid as the original.

When I needed a fit note it was online! Was so easy to just send along!

You are supposed to keep the original, the employer only gets a copy. It says this in the instructions on the note so your employer can't argue.

Get a replacement from GP but keep the original yourself this time.

Is it on the nhs app? Mine is on there.

Ask the GP for a replacement, photograph it and email to HR person. Keep the original.
Do the same with any future sick notes.

I hope you feel better soon

Echoing all other posters.. Contact the GP for a replacement.

I wouldn't be sure it's definitely been received. Was it sent recorded? If so, you could track it.

GP can issue a duplicate and email it to you so you email it on

Thanks everyone. I had another appointment booked for the end of the week anyway so will discuss with GP and ask for electronic copies/emails from then on.

we’re only getting post once every 11 days in our area, could that be it? I’d respond to HR to please check their post. I’d also ask gp to provide it via email and maybe longer if you’re still struggling.