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Original poster

Sick on Bank holidays

19 replies

cakedup · 19/04/2025 11:51

Woke up on yesterday with bad cold, would not have worked if it was a working day. Last time this happened was on Christmas day!

When you're sick on bank Holidays do you just shrug it off as bad luck? Anyone make up for it by taking a work day off?

OP posts:
Lavender14 · 19/04/2025 11:52

I'd just take the opportunity to rest up and be glad it's not coming out of my sick allowance... unless I had a surplus of annual leave no I wouldn't take another day.

OddBoots · 19/04/2025 11:53

I would be relieved that it wasn't on a work day, I wouldn't feel entitled to another day of leave.

ZoggyStirdust · 19/04/2025 11:56

What?

if you’re ill on a Sunday do you feel entitled to have the Monday off to make up for it?

HoppingPavlova · 19/04/2025 11:59

Anyone make up for it by taking a work day off?

Not following the logic on that?

caramac04 · 19/04/2025 11:59

I’d be glad I’d not have to go to work feeling crap and then take the opportunity to have a very lazy day with plenty of hot drinks and meds if required.
I wouldn’t take another day off.

Sirzy · 19/04/2025 12:00

you can’t bank sick days for future use!

I hate being off sick so like most I would be relieved I was home to be able to rest anyway

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 19/04/2025 12:01

I’ve had this week off as annual leave and I’ve been ill for all of it. It’s annoying, but it’s just how it is. I’m not going to call in sick next week to make up for it.

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/04/2025 12:02

You're joking yes?

Original poster
cakedup · 19/04/2025 12:05

I thought along the sale lines but a colleague informed me otherwise! Apparently most people make up for a sick day....didn't think it was true.

OP posts:
HowAmITheCatsGranny · 19/04/2025 12:06

I spent two weeks of annual leave this winter with the flu.. first week I couldn’t get out of bed hardly, second week I was still exhausted and recovering.. I hate phoning in because I know how much pressure it puts on my colleagues, so it was almost a relief I was off anyway. Plus, I get paid for A/L but not sickness.

Vallmo47 · 19/04/2025 12:14

🤣🤣 Yeah, right…

Dutchhouse14 · 19/04/2025 12:15

If you have a sick certificate from the GP that covers a bank holiday and/ or your annual then you should get it credited back to you to book another time.
Otherwise no it's just bad luck.
Although some employers do have a policy if you phone in sick when on annual leave they will let you use sick leave rather than annual leave. Don't think it applies to bank holidays though.
I have a friend who does take a sneaky sick day here and there for appointments or to' make up time 'if she's been ill whilst on leave but I think most people just think it's bad luck and suck it it.
Up to you if you phone in sick to try and 'reclaim" the day.
Depends on your employers sick leave policy and if you think you'd get caught. I'd be too worried to go out in case I was spotted lol or be concerned I'd be genuinely ill the following week!

Cabbagefamily · 19/04/2025 12:40

You are absolutely allowed to change your leave into “off sick” and the company must let you do so. But you must tell them. From Acas:

If an employee is sick on holidayAn employee must report their sickness to their employer if they want to take any holiday as sick leave. In this case the employee can: get statutory sick pay for the time they were sick – as long as they are entitled to it. keep the time they were sick to use as holiday another time.

Cabbagefamily · 19/04/2025 12:42

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 19/04/2025 12:01

I’ve had this week off as annual leave and I’ve been ill for all of it. It’s annoying, but it’s just how it is. I’m not going to call in sick next week to make up for it.

But why don’t you tell the company? You can get your leave re-credited to you. That’s completely normal.

Original poster
cakedup · 19/04/2025 14:36

Cabbagefamily · 19/04/2025 12:40

You are absolutely allowed to change your leave into “off sick” and the company must let you do so. But you must tell them. From Acas:

If an employee is sick on holidayAn employee must report their sickness to their employer if they want to take any holiday as sick leave. In this case the employee can: get statutory sick pay for the time they were sick – as long as they are entitled to it. keep the time they were sick to use as holiday another time.

Would that apply to bank holidays as well though? As another poster said up thread, you wouldn't take a day off for being ill on a weekend.

OP posts:
ludicrouslycapaciousbags · 19/04/2025 15:29

You need a fit note from the GP to cover the sickness and the annual leave will be adjusted.

HR in LA.

RRBB1920 · 19/04/2025 19:40

GP fit note for the first 5 days? if a/l need adjusting?

Hekett · 19/04/2025 19:58

ludicrouslycapaciousbags · 19/04/2025 15:29

You need a fit note from the GP to cover the sickness and the annual leave will be adjusted.

HR in LA.

Most GPs won’t issue a fit note until the self cert period has ended, though!

It’s actually a valid question OP but I wouldn’t. Lost my entire Xmas holiday to Covid this year as a result. I hate taking sick days though!

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 20/04/2025 08:51

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 19/04/2025 12:01

I’ve had this week off as annual leave and I’ve been ill for all of it. It’s annoying, but it’s just how it is. I’m not going to call in sick next week to make up for it.

You could have followed the company's sickness absence procedures and been off sick instead of annual leave. FYI.

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