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

[Doiwantthis8262]

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???

I'd write them one single email called Situation Report. Detail in full exactly what happened to you, what the doctor instructed you to do, what medication / resting etc you are having.

Be very clear about your current pain levels, nausea, difficulty walking, getting to the toilet, difficulty in being evacuated in the case of an emergency, difficulty thinking and concentrating, anxiety, anything else you're enduring.

Tell them 'I will let you know nearer the end of the current signed off sick leave period how I am and what the doctor tells me to do.

Meanwhile, this is the situation: I'm going through a healing process that requires rest and peace and quiet. Trying to do too much too soon could set back my healing and lead to a longer period signed off.

I can't tell you when that will be, but I guarantee I will keep you informed of any development or change'.

Then when they call, don't answer. Email only - that way you have a clear record of every time they try it. If they left a voice mail, type it out in your answer. Keep the records.

Reply with 'I refer you to my email dated xx. The situation remains the same. As I say, neither I nor the doctor can give a definite statement about when I can return. Any changes, you will be first to know.'

OP it sounds like you have very painful and uncomfortable injuries and lot of recovery to do. Assuming you get full pay I would not be jeopardising my own recovery (and risking longer term pain, arthritis etc) just to rush back to work. Based on everything you’ve said so far they’ll expect you to work out normal
pace and you’ll be stressed and exhausted.

Do not underestimate how tiring it is for the body fixing broken bones, healing wounds and muscles.

You may need a further sick note from your doctor after the initial 2 weeks is up. I would be saying this to them when you call on Monday and hopefully they get the message.

Looking after yourself is the most important thing, not healing properly could set you up for months or years of chronic aches and pains, and guess what the school won’t care that you rushed back for them.

The school shouldn’t be pressurising you to go back before you’re able to do so and should realise that you can’t work while you’re covered by a medical certificate, but I don’t see why it matters if your line manager rings you regularly to check how you are or to ask work related questions.

Because its a school there always seems to be different "rules" about absence

No, there seems to be difficult rules as the management are clearly dicks.

My boss rings me every day I’m off sick. I know this because I’ve been off sick for four days, prior to which I haven’t been off in 5 years.

she rings asking when I’ll be back.

Make sure you do not go back before you are ready as there will be little adjustment made for you and you will be expected to do your usual job at full 100%. You also risk further injury which would mean taking further time off and this would count as a second absence. Take your time, and if necessary ask for a phased return, your doctor would be happy to suggest this in writing for the school if they are suggesting you need 10 weeks off.

Don’t allow yourself to be bullied, state you were told it should be 10 week recovery but you will only return when your doctor thinks it appropriate as they would be foolish to ask you to go against medical advice.

Once a week is reasonable. Anything more isn’t on.

If you have sent in a sick note then that advises your employer of the length of time you will be unwell and not at work. Your employer should have guidelines about keeping in touch while off so i’d ask for a copy of that. But generally if you’re signed off for 2 weeks they might contact you once during this time to find out how you are. They absolutely should not be encouraging you to go against medical advice and return to work. They are not medically qualified so cannot make that decision. It really sounds like they’re treating you as someone who has just called in sick a few days ago and not someone who’s GP has declared them unfit for work!

Make sure you are adhering to the policy eg. I’m NHS and we must speak to our line manager in person when 1st off sick or for a weekly update or whatever is agreed. Email or text would not be accepted. In your situation I wouldn’t be phoning to let them know if you’ll be back this week. I’d send an email reminding them they have a sick note stating you will be unfit for work until X date.

Might be worth checking your union fees are up to date, or join one. Check the school's policy for sickness. All the school's I've worked (7) at would not contact you that frequently. If you have a sick note, you should not be expected to return before that. In fact, if you did, they might need a fit to work note.
I agree with other answers here: put it in writing. You will be off until AT LEAST X date as per Dr's current sick note but it might be a longer recovery, as indicated by the medical professionals dealing with you. Tell them you will be in touch on x date with an update. Stop answering their calls- you might be in the bathroom or asleep etc. You do not need to reply by phoning. Emails only.

Do not let them.guilt trip.you into going in. I'm a teacher and feel that staff well- being is glossed over. You have a sick note. They should accept this. Are you in a union?

I work in a school as a SENTA. They are relentless when you're off sick. The school doesn't function without it's TA staff, reception staff or pastoral staff... It's that simple. I totally understand how frustrating it is when they're calling every day. I just don't answer and email later on saying I will keep you updated by email daily as to when I'm fit to return.

I hope you have a speedy recovery. Xx

I would 100% be extending my sick leave. Partly due to your employer's behaviour, but mainly as it does not sound like you will be fit and ready or healthy to return in one week's time.

I would be sending a very clear email saying
"Hi
I have a sick note until this date. I will not be able to come back before then. I will contact you on said date to let you know whether I can return or not. At the moment I am struggling to be up for long enough to take calls or reply to messages so I will not be doing so at this time."

Definitely email so you have a paper trail. The suggested email here is perfect. Don't answer the phone, if they keep ringing next week, reply to your email with update on Sunday and say you saw missed call and you wanted to confirm that nothing has changed since the email dated Sunday 21st June.

This is completely inappropriate and unacceptable.
If you’ve provided a fit note for 2 weeks then they shouldn’t contact you at all.
I manage staff and I generally check in via message with staff who are off sick once a week just to see if they are ok and other than that to set contact arrangements if sick for over 3 weeks.
You should not be having any pressure to return and dint feel guilty.

What is the policy for absence reporting? It sounds like you didn't actually speak to anyone until Thursday but had sent 3 messages I work in a school policy is phone in on days 1, 4 and 7 then either need to return or have a sick line. Have you submitted the sick line? Not sure why they would keep calling when you have a line with a return date on it if they have thst I wouldn't be answering anything beyond your normal check in policies (think most places expect a weekly call)

The vast majority of schools don't have HR, I work in a large secondary and we don't have an HR department or dedicated HR person, in a school that function usually comes under the School Business Manager / Bursar and their staff (one of whom may nominally be HR officer)

Perfect

Stop answering their calls. Send an email summarising everything one last time saying you will be back on X date and not before.

You have been signed off. There is no obligation for you to call them, or go back early. Put your foot down.

They're acting disgracefully imo

Nope. Email HR and tell them that you are off, you will be taking the whole sick note and explain you are injured and in pain. I’d also tell them you won’t be back until recovered. If they are unhappy then they need to get an occupational therapy assessment (which will back you up I’m sure).
Keeping in touch is normal but it should be agreed by both of you and who the person is who calls you.
Id also say the frequent and pressuring phone calls are interfering with your recovery.
Id also ask for a copy of the sickness policy, this lets them know you have it.
This isn’t acceptable.

Not anymore. I'm currently signed off sick, and my doctor was very enthusiastic to say if I felt better before the end date, I could go back to work! They're as a guide - especially now they're called fit notes. (Ironically, he jinxed me, and I'm now signed off for a further two weeks! 🤦‍♀️🤣)

Whatever you do, I’d be negotiating a pay rise when you return. They clearly can’t cope without you!

If you feel you need more time try get signed off for a good few more weeks yet. In fact I’d do that now even if you feel you could manage with adjustments.

The school will have an absence management policy (well, they should have). You can ask for this so that you understand what the absence management process is and how often you are expected to attend check-in meetings with your manager, during your absence.

I would email (so there is evidence) saying what you've said here. That at the moment you are barely able to make it between the bed and the toilet and remind them you are signed off for at least another week.

You could also tell them you will need to see occupational health before you'll be able to return, due to your lack of mobility and the need for reasonable adjustments and a possible phased return.

Bet that shuts them up for at least a week. And I wouldn't take any phone calls from them. Put their number on silent.