Fit note for 2 months but need to work

[Jem33]

Hi,
My GP has issued a fit note for stress related illness starting from today, for 2 months. The circumstances are fairly horrendous but I won't go into them.

I want to add that in my entire working life I have only taken 2 days sick leave and that was to look after my poorly children. Asking for time off is really hard for me.

However, even I now recognise I need a few days off. I'm hoping after a few days I will feel well enough to go back to work next week.

My question is, can I take a few days off then go back to work and if I don't feel I can cope, stop working again as long as it's all within the period covered by the fit note?

Aside from the fact I find it really hard to ask for help and take time off work, I also only get 4 weeks paid sick leave and can't afford unpaid sick; so although having 2 months off is best for my health, it's not an option. I don't want to be off work but I accept, reluctantly, I am not well currently. Any advice welcomed.

Thank you.

Up to your employer

if I was your employer, I wouldn’t have you on the presumes or working for the duration of the fit note

My employer would make you stay off if you're signed off. Take the time you've been given and then suggest a phased return to make sure you're capable..

I think my employer would want a new fit note with an updated date. Eg if it said “not fit for work until 9th August” they’d want one that confirmed I was fit for work next week, if that’s when I wanted to go back.

No you legally cant go back with that sick note as your employers liability insurance in respect of you will be invalid.

Your only option will be if you feel better and fit for work to go back to gp and ask for a further note saying you are fit for work which will override current sick note

No, it invalidates their insurance.

This is no longer true.

I would take ypur 2 months signed off sick and if you decided you wanted to return to work before that, I would request another note saying you're fit for work with any reasonable adjustments listed...ie. extra reaks needed or phased return to work etc

I've been signed off for 8 weeks post hip replacement but I can't afford to go onto half pay so my boss has let me work from home which is working out just fine. Can you do something like that?

Thanks all for your responses. If I self certify for 7 days, do I even need to show fit note to employer?

Yes you can take a few days off, return to work but if you find it too much, go off again. However, it will count as 2 separate absences and be treated as such.

I would suggest taking at least 2-4 weeks off, if as you describe you have experienced something horrendous and then consider if you are fit to return to work.

Thanks Landlubber, is 2 separate absences worse than one long absence? Sorry - this is all new to me.
Do you think its best to share the fit note with my employer but explain that I would like to take a few days off and then see how I am?

Thank you.

Whether you show your employer or not the fit note is anyone’s guess.

They may be fine with it - or they may insist you take the time off until you have a return to work done.

Id self certify for one week - you don’t need to show anything, and then decide whether to take the full 2 months or return to work

A 2 month sick not op indicates a serious health issue

if I was your employer I’d be wondering what was going on that you’re showing me a medical professional doesn’t think your fit for work for 2 months

but you are sitting across from me asking for just a few days off

Thank you, if I self certify for 7 days then realise I need more time and show work the fit note, will they query why the start date on the fit note was over a week ago?
Or is it up to me when I choose to share the fit note? I don't believe it has legal status.

They’ll probably be a little confused op
as am I tbh

A two months fit note is fairly unusual for stress related illness. A GP would usually sign off for 2-4 weeks and then extend if required. I would take the opinion of your GP seriously and take at least a week before making any decisions to go back. If what you have experienced is that bad, a week is nothing, really, to get you back on track.

You won't do yourself any favours in the long term going back too soon. It might take longer overall for you to recover.

But you can work when signed off, it depends on the type of job you do eg a manual job might have more H&S implications from you working against the advice of a GP. In my office job I could decide to return earlier than planned if I wanted. Possibly with adjustments.

I imagine it depends what you say. If you say “I’m not well enough to work but hope to be back next week” and then next week show them a fit note dated today for two months, then yes, that would look odd.

As an employer, please please take the two months. Quite aside from the critical point that you wouldn’t have the fit note if the doctor didn’t think you need it, I’d be able to find appropriate cover for some off for two months - but I couldn’t readily justify cover for someone who’s in and out and in and out.

You can go back to the GP when you feel you’ve recovered and get signed back to work.
But I agree with PP it’s pretty unusual for a GP to sign you off with stress for 2 months straight away. The usual protocol would be 2-4 weeks and review how you are.
This sounds like you are in a very bad way OP if the GP has gone straight for 2 months so I think you need to take this seriously

A 2 month GP note is pretty long for a first one.
It sounds like you really do need a chunk of time off. I'd take the 4 weeks that are paid, and then re-evaluate if you should go back to the GP to see if they will issue a fit note for a phased return.

I wonder if recent events have blinkered your thinking as to how tumultuous life has been recently. Please take the time to recover fully.

Thanks everyone, your replies are really helpful and touching, thank you. You have all helped me decide to speak to HR tomorrow, show them the fit note and explain that I will keep in touch and if my recovery goes well I will hope to start a phased return after the 4 weeks.
Hopefully HR will understand. My GP offered counselling but I declined - having read your comments I'm now wondering if I should take this.

There is usually quite a waiting list for counselling so if you are unsure then it is worth getting yourself on the list. You can change your mind later.

No you’d need a fit note to say you are fit to work.
And it’s not really appropriate to be off and go back to work and then back off on the same fit note. I’d be asking questions if I was your employer.
You are either well enough or not well enough to work.
Sounds like you aren’t.
I hope you get better soon.

You don’t need a fit for work note if you return to work before the end date of the note. What your employer should be doing it have a meeting with you discuss your illness which HR should advise when you speak to them tomorrow.

Well you’d have been on the waiting list for a couple of years anyway

however if private is ever a possibility later down the line, then yes absolutely

a 2 month for note is not handed out willy illy