Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Is boss supposed to keep ringing whilst I'm signed off sick?

72 replies

Doiwantthis8262 · 21/06/2025 14:07

I work in a school (non teaching) I'm signed off sick for 2 works with an injury which means I can't walk or sit easily.
In reality it will take about 10 weeks to recover but 2 weeks should be long enough off for me to get on my feet and muddle through at work with some adjustments. I'm part time also
I sent my doctors note in and also spoke over the phone.
Since that first day in have had repeated calls asking me how I am and pushing me to go back. At the moment I am hobbling between the bed and toilet. That feels like a marathon.
They want me to ring them on Sunday night to tell them if I can go in next week ( I'm still signed off for another week). They have made a few jokey remarks saying they need me and can't manage without me. They can.
As of today (sat) there is no way I can go in on Monday. I'm dreading having to call!
Why are they not accepting my sick note and leaving me alone???

OP posts:
Dominoeffecter · 21/06/2025 14:08

They are 100% not supposed to do that!

Poopeepoopee · 21/06/2025 14:08

Message her one more time with an update and ask her not to contact you again whilst you're on sick leave and that you will come back to her with a return to work date when you have one.

FamilyPhoto · 21/06/2025 14:09

Thats outrageous. They know you won't be in because you've been signed off.

Tearsinheavens · 21/06/2025 14:10

This would drive me crazy.
They Can ask for check in calls but surely a reasonable amount and I'm sure they shouldn't be asking you to come back before the end of your current note.

Not sure how much can be done about it unfortunately as some places/managers are like this.

My husband had to have a lot of calls when off sick with mental health under the guise of check in/catch up 🙄

Lins77 · 21/06/2025 14:10

Poopeepoopee · 21/06/2025 14:08

Message her one more time with an update and ask her not to contact you again whilst you're on sick leave and that you will come back to her with a return to work date when you have one.

And copy in HR.

They're not allowed to do this, you've been signed off by your doctor. They're not allowed to harass you to go back to work.

FrodoBiggins · 21/06/2025 14:12

How often are we talking re 'repeated' calls last week? A keep in touch meeting isn't unusual although normally appropriate for a longer absence.
I would email, not call, on Sunday and say something like "You requested an update about my sickness absence. Per my doctors note I will be off next week. I expect to return on [date] but will let you know ASAP if anything changes. It is difficult for me to get to the phone at present and I have been advised to rest, so if anything is required during next week please email rather than telephone and I will respond when I am able to"

Swirlframe · 21/06/2025 14:13

They (and you) are supposed to keep in touch. What that looks like should be agreed between the two of you.

Lins77 · 21/06/2025 14:14

Keep in touch is appropriate for longer absences. Not for two weeks.

Dominoeffecter · 21/06/2025 14:15

Swirlframe · 21/06/2025 14:13

They (and you) are supposed to keep in touch. What that looks like should be agreed between the two of you.

Keeping in touch isn’t ringing constantly and pressuring return

StMarie4me · 21/06/2025 14:15

You legally cannot go back without a new date from the Dr. You need to tell HR.

U53rn8m3ch8ng3 · 21/06/2025 14:16

No absolutely not. When I've been signed off I've had one call immediately after being signed off to ask if there was any support I needed and general welfare check. Then one call a day or so before I'm due back to see if I am coming back or further signed off.

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 21/06/2025 14:16

Yes, employers are allowed to contact employees while off sick - though they are absolutely not allowed to harrass you or pressure you into going back any earlier than expected.

The aim should be to make sure you have any support you need, and the type/level of contact should be set by you.

So I would explain to them that you are finding this level of contact stressful and detrimental to your recovery. Perhaps agree on weekly update phonecalls, if you could cope with that. But make it clear you will not be going back any earlier than the date on your fit note.

FrodoBiggins · 21/06/2025 14:16

StMarie4me · 21/06/2025 14:15

You legally cannot go back without a new date from the Dr. You need to tell HR.

That's not true

Dominoeffecter · 21/06/2025 14:16

FrodoBiggins · 21/06/2025 14:16

That's not true

Show quote history

Definitely not true

C8H10N4O2 · 21/06/2025 14:25

Its completely out of order.

Send them an email update and ask them to stop calling (or limit it to once per week) then ignore the calls. Set the expectations based on your doctor’s prediction of ten week recovery. Anything earlier would be a bonus.

I would not struggle back to work too early with an injury in your situation.. A line manager constantly chasing you to get back to work with an injury is unlikely to be one willing to make realistic adjustments for a sustained recovery.

Your priority is recovering, not returning too soon and finding you do more damage and need further time off.

Mischance · 21/06/2025 14:27

For the duration of the sick note they should just suck it up and leave you be.

C8H10N4O2 · 21/06/2025 14:27

FrodoBiggins · 21/06/2025 14:12

How often are we talking re 'repeated' calls last week? A keep in touch meeting isn't unusual although normally appropriate for a longer absence.
I would email, not call, on Sunday and say something like "You requested an update about my sickness absence. Per my doctors note I will be off next week. I expect to return on [date] but will let you know ASAP if anything changes. It is difficult for me to get to the phone at present and I have been advised to rest, so if anything is required during next week please email rather than telephone and I will respond when I am able to"

Multiple calls in the first week of a two week absence note after already receiving written and verbal details of the absence is ridiculous. That isn’t keeping in touch, it is being a rubbish manager.

skyeisthelimit · 21/06/2025 14:37

Have a look on the ACAS website to be sure of your rights and then advise them of those, ie one call a week or whatever. Ask them not to contact you in between.

Original poster
Doiwantthis8262 · 21/06/2025 14:42

I messaged the Sunday night to inform of my absence and injury
Had phone call on Monday (day 1) but i couldn't speak to them as in so much pain
Asked me to ring Tuesday (day 2) which I didn't. I was high on painkillers and in agony, could hardly string a sentence together. Thats when the remarks started. Was asked to update them again on the Thursday.
Thursday came (day 4) I sent her an email explaining i was no better and gave an update on my work so colleague could pick up. Everything was included in email. Emailed back immediately to call her which i did. Had to them have the same conversation and begging to go back.
End of conversation asked me to call and update Sunday night (tomorrow) with them keeping all fingers and toes crossed that I can go back Monday. (Day 7)
There is no way I can and it is making me feel very stressed
I am going to go back as soon as I can anyway but I cannot sit at a desk for 6 hours , it is currently impossible. I have to lie down every 15 minutes inbetween hobbling about.
Because its a school there always seems to be different "rules" about absence and things like that. I dont even know if we have hr , no clue. When I was off sick at my last school they did not do a return to work for me, didn't ask if I needed adjustments etc. Its so different than any other workplace. I really dont feel that the well being off staff is considered at all.

OP posts:
Lins77 · 21/06/2025 14:45

What kind of school is it, OP?

Either way they're not allowed to do this - pressure you into coming back when you're signed off.

Original poster
Doiwantthis8262 · 21/06/2025 14:50

A primary school

OP posts:
Pyramyth · 21/06/2025 14:52

Doiwantthis8262 · 21/06/2025 14:50

A primary school

I work in a teeny tiny primary school where each person's absence is keenly felt and you wouldn't be treated like that. Our head does RTW meetings and adjustments are made as necessary. Primaries do sometimes seem to think they can operate under their own rules but it is just terrible management. Are you in a union? Contact them for advice.

HelplessSoul · 21/06/2025 14:53

Get signed off for longer, then launch a grievance.

Your school is bang out of order. Their resource issues is not yours to deal with.

Going forward, do not answer calls, voicemails or emails.

Fuck em.

Lins77 · 21/06/2025 14:55

I'm no expert, but if it's a primary school run by the local authority, they will have to abide by LA policies and procedures.

ItTook9Years · 21/06/2025 14:59

HR here (and school governor). There’s no frequency of contact that suits every scenario. I had one staff member complain that she came back to work too soon after a miscarriage because her manager expected her to ring in everyday, which was out of order and I did have a coaching call with the manager to try and understand why she through that could possibly be appropriate.

I’d send a very clear note that you have been advised the expected recovery time is 10 weeks, but you hope to be back at the end of your initial 2 week fit note, all being well. And that you will update mid-week if that isn’t going to happen. Mention that the frequency of contact is making it hard for you to focus on your recovery and likely to extend how long you are off for, but shorten it. Ignore any further calls.