Work Issue

[Hmcd214]

Hi
I have been off sick from work for 8 weeks due to my daughter being diagnosed with a chronic disease. We have had a lot of medical appointments to attend and the whole situation has been stressful for us a family. My sick line is due to end in 2 days and my GP has gave me an extension on this. My manager thinks I’m am returning to work when the original has ended, and has messaged me saying that they look forward to seeing me soon. This has caused me some anxiety and I feel like they are putting me under pressure / expecting that my situation has improved and I will be back at work.
When should I tell them about the extension or has anyone any advice on what to do?
thanks

Tell them asap so they can plan, if you had already told them then they wouldn't have contacted you. Of course they are expecting you back at work.

If you've not communicated the extension, what do you expect your line manager to think?

I'm sorry for what you are going through, but managers aren't mind readers - most are just trying to do the right thing.

I've been in the same position as your manager, and had lots of sympathy for the employee, but was called 'heartless' for checking if she was returning when the sick note expired as I'd not heard anything.

Thank you for your replies. I have never been in this position before so I wasn’t sure if I had to wait to be issued another sick line before contacting them.
thanks

Why do you have the sick note when your child is ill? I understand the need to take time off but I am surprised it is through this route. Is your partner sharing the time off so you can at least return p/t

This is confusing.

You say you have been given an extension then you say you thought you had to wait until til you were given the extension.

As soon as you know you're getting signed off again, you let work know. It really is that simple. If this has stressed you out then you could have avoided this. It's perfectly reasonable for them to expect you back if they are unaware of any extension on sick note.

Hi i discussed my reasons for needing the sick line with GP and they agreed to this? Don’t think I need to go into detail. My husband is the higher earner therefore I wouldn’t expect him to take time off

stress/anxiety about a ill child would be valid reason to take time off work side for the OP

This is not really fair to your employer who is expected to take the entire cost of your child's illness via your absence.

I'm sorry for what you are going through and wish your daughter all the best for her recovery.

Now. You should tell them now. Quite why you didn't tell them as soon as you got the extension is anybody's guess. If you had done you would have spared yourself this anxiety.

I would imagine your line manager contacted you, welcoming you back to reduce your anxiety in returning to the workplace and break the ice, many people find it challenging to return after having time off.

If they haven't been told you have an extension how would they know?

My gosh...some horrible adverse replies.. why can't some of you stick to the question and not put in your negative nasty opinions.

Hi OP - must be a worrying time. You don’t need to wait for the physical / digital sick note itself to let your employer know the GP has extended it. Obviously they will need to see it when the GP has it ready, but tell them asap so they can plan and to minimise your own anxiety.

Sorry to hear OP.

I think if your sick note extension has only just been approved then it’s reasonable for you to tell them but if you have left it a while, well you still just need to go ahead and tell them.

I wouldn’t view the email from your manager as trying to pressure you, as far as they are aware, you are returning to work after a fair absence and they probably emailed for exactly this type of reason, I.e to confirm you are actually coming back.

I wouldn’t just phone on the morning you were due back to say you’re not coming back! I hope everything goes okay for you; it sounds like a really tough position and I’m sure they will understand.

Your manager was probably trying to help you feel welcomed and at ease when you return. Please don't feel anxious about it. If you think about it, you'd probably feel anxious if you were due to return but they hadn't been in touch!

I hope your daughter's health is improving.

This has caused me some anxiety and I feel like they are putting me under pressure / expecting that my situation has improved and I will be back at work.
When should I tell them about the extension or has anyone any advice on what to do?

If you have not told them how things are going, how would they know its no better? It sounds like they are doing a nice thing by reaching out to you so you are not in the position of going back to work without anyone saying anything to you. Just tell them as soon as possible.

Your current sick leave ends in TWO DAYS and you have an extension but you haven't told your employer?

Why not? When were you planning to tell them? On the morning you were expected back?

And you think they are the ones causing anxiety?

It is your responsibility to ensure you communicate the situation in a timely manner in other words asap to reduce their stress. They need to make provision to cover you. It's not all about you.

Am on a phased return fit note but have just read the current fit note scanned over by the doctors surgery and it has not been ticked phased return it is ticked not fit for work. Have only just noticed it (my bad). Have. An absence review mtg fri 9 feb The swelling on my hand injury is causing me concern. Unsure what to say at meeting

Just communicate with your manager. Keep them informed all the way through any absence. Of course they need to plan if you’re going to be off for any prolonged period. The more notice they have, the easier it is for them and the less likely they will get pissed off. As long as you aren’t taking the piss, they should be fine about it.
it is only fair though that you sure your responsibilities and your dh also takes time off. It doesn’t matter who earns more, you are both entitled to time off to care for dependents. If nothing else it gives you twice as much time off as a unit. I would be pissed if I was your manager if you were taking weeks and weeks off and your dh nothing.

I really don’t see what your employer has done wrong here, they were expecting you back because you said you would be back and they sent you a nice welcoming message. If you are not planning on going back, then you should tell them as soon as possible as if they have been paying you then frankly they have been extremely good to you as they didn’t need to. I know that you have a lot on your plate but I really think you need to be showing your employer a bit more courtesy considering how well they are treating you.