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Original poster

Sick not and back to work

23 replies

Carol52 · 23/01/2025 17:21

Advice please I have been of work for 3 weeks with fractured ribs and a chest infection. The doctor has given me a further sicknote.
I said to my employer I am happy to gone back work as I feel better then I did but still have been.
I work in a school.
I asked how she felt Ruth having asick note snd coming back. Their response it's up to you.
I said I can try and if I am struggling I will let her know. they have not replied.
I don't know if I have annoyed them
Maybe I should just decided to stay off with longer.
I thought I was being helpful in trying to go back.
I feel a bit anxious now any help or advice have I don't the right or wrong thing
I have honk e to ask do any help would be great

OP posts:
Gliblet · 23/01/2025 17:25

Your employer needs to tread carefully here - they can't ask you to come back while you're medically unfit for work.

What does your sicknote actually say? Unfit for work, or not able to do certain types of work?

MissMoneyFairy · 23/01/2025 17:29

Have you posted about this before, if your note says you're unfit for work then don't go back until the doctors declares you fit. Why do you want to go back when you're not fully recovered?

Original poster
Carol52 · 23/01/2025 18:32

I just thought as they are short staffed if I am starting to feel better then maybe I could go back. one of my colleagues saw me walking the dog and I felt so guilty because I am off sick

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 23/01/2025 18:34

What job do you do in a school? They have said it’s up to you so don’t feel bad about not going back in.

Original poster
Carol52 · 23/01/2025 19:13

I think I feel uncomfortable because my colleague has seen me out and about

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 23/01/2025 19:25

Carol52 · 23/01/2025 19:13

I think I feel uncomfortable because my colleague has seen me out and about

Most people understand that having a sick note doesn’t necessarily mean you are bed bound. Small walls are still normal. Time to move on from this and focus on getting better

mashingwachine · 23/01/2025 19:35

You are asking them to make a decision for you that they can't make. You either tell them you are ready to return to work or you tell them you have the sick note until X date.

MissMoneyFairy · 23/01/2025 19:57

You're allowed to go out on a sick note, exercise and breathing exercises are important. What made you go back to the GP to get another note, what job do you do, what sort of chest infection do you have, are you on any medication. Did your doctor advise you to stay off sick, have you got another appointment.

Original poster
Carol52 · 23/01/2025 23:57

Thanks for your message. I am still in pain although I do feel alot better. I am having trouble sleeping and if I try to do something like vacuum etc I really suffer later on. I am in the school office so no straining but evening sitting comfortable can be hard sometimes.

OP posts:
RechargeableGnu · 25/01/2025 19:02

Don't go back until you are healed. Going back will signify to everyone you are well and you'll be expected to work as such (unless you get a phased return).

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 25/01/2025 19:07

If they have cover for you , it might be easier to delay your return and only go back when you will definitely be able to do something approaching normal duties.

Even if they don't have cover , it can sometimes be easier to have certainty on what tasks need to be reassigned /delayed rather than have some one who might be in but no one knows for sure. In a long winded way I'm saying don't feel guilty. If you are unfit for work, all you can do is do your best to recover.

Zita60 · 26/01/2025 00:41

It looks as if there could be legal risks for the employer if an employee returns to work while still sound off work.

www.davidsonmorris.com/working-whilst-signed-off-sick/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-4

Original poster
Carol52 · 26/01/2025 18:28

Thank you for your replies.
I retracted my offer of see how I go if I come back. I said that I still have pain etc and would keep them informed. Today I do t feel well at all do I am glad I am not going back yet

OP posts:
Rose38 · 26/01/2025 20:01

Speaking from having worked in HR before...if someone wants to return to work before their medical certificate expires they are required to go back to the GP and ask for a fit note. Otherwise if you go back to work and something happens to you, the company could get in trouble for allowing you to return before your medical certificate had expired.

Only you can decide how you feel. But my advice would be to return only if you feel 100% sure. And definitely get a fit note from GP if you decide to go back early.

Original poster
Carol52 · 02/02/2025 12:22

My employer is again asking when I will be back which is fine. I feel a lot better still in pain. I have said my fit note runs out at the end of the week so I am hoping I will be back the week after.
I would like to think it be a staggered back to work but she has not mentioned this

OP posts:
CorsicaDreaming · 02/02/2025 16:49

@Carol52 - if you do feel you need a staggered return you need to ask for this and generally provide GP note recommendation that you need it.

Work are likely to expect you will just pick up where you left off and are fully better to work unless you say something in advance.

I would ask for a staggered return – in my personal experience after having had chest infections I'm absolutely wiped out and it takes quite a long time to fully recover. It would be far better to go back slowly and steadily than to go back full-time and then not be able to cope and have to leave again for more sick leave.

TraCant · 02/02/2025 18:22

Contact your GP and say you want to return but don't feel fully fit yet. Ask them to write you a fit note for a phased return over a 2 or 3 week period.
Have an idea how many hours each week you feel you can manage when you speak to GP

Original poster
Carol52 · 12/02/2025 07:12

I have emailed my manager to say I have not Bern able to chat about my return,
I am struggling full days this week if I am struggling today would it be possible to leave after lunch

OP posts:
Original poster
Carol52 · 12/02/2025 17:22

Went into work she apologised and said that our main boss should have done an assessment she said so could work half day today . And after half term re discuss to see how I feel.
I felt much better once k had expressed how I had felt

OP posts:
Gliblet · 12/02/2025 20:40

Well done for being clear about your needs, glad they're listening.

Original poster
Carol52 · 13/02/2025 08:33

Thank you.
I just thought what done of the other ladies said no one really cares about you apart from you. So I always say to my children speak about things. I am glad I did

OP posts:
Original poster
Carol52 · 13/02/2025 18:52

Update back at the drs today I have another chest infection. 😮.
Dr said take it easy . said I had gone back to work he said probably back to soon definitely should of reduced hours at first. He said to see how I am next week as it's half term and advised to get a fit note to phase return.
Does anyone know
1 if you have a fit note and it says phased return will you still get full/sick pay.

OP posts:
TraCant · 13/02/2025 19:31

That depends on your workplace policy. Some places pay your normal wages and other places only pay the hours you work while on phased return

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