Manager blanking me while I am on sick leave...complaint?

[Greenartywitch]

I had to go on sick leave last month after a flare up of a long-term health condition.

The initial condition affects my immune system and I have now caught a secondary infection and I need more time off to fight/recover from both medical issues.

My long term health condition/disability is on my HR file as I declared it to them early in the job to make sure everything was in the open.

My manager did not reply when I sent my first GP sick note and this week has again not acknowledged the second one with the details of the health complication.

As a manager myself, I am shocked and saddened that I don't even deserve a brief 'thank you for sending the note, keep us informed' which literally would take a couple of seconds to write and send.

I would never treat a staff member this way and I really thing that employers have a duty to at least keep in basic contact with employees who are on long term sick.

I have had issues with this manager in the past as they were awful when I came back from a period of sick leave 3 years ago. I am aware that a former employee made a disability discrimination claim against them in the past.

I am focusing on getting better but this plays in my mind and I am considering making a complaint about them when I am back at work for neglecting their duty of care.

What are you thoughts on this?

I find some people don't reply to things unless they are specifically asked a question! Could you follow up with an email that asks something? Even just " Hi, just a quick follow up to check you received my fit note as I have had a few problems with emails lately. Please could you let me know? Is there anything else you need from me?

If they still dont reply, then there's more reason to suggest you're being ignored.

Some people don’t want to hear anything from work when they are off sick.

You’re thinking of making a complaint because your boss hasn’t asked how you are? Ok.

In my last workplace I had 3 months off sick after an accident. Despite their policy being to maintain supportive contact I had not a single message/email/call in the whole time I was off. I requested an occupational health referral whilst I was off as I knew I would need some adjustments in the short term but this was not acknowledged. The first I heard was when they invited me in to discuss my return to work.

In the end I returned without any adjustments and still a long way from full recovery. I left 2 months later.

''@rainbowstardrops · Today 10:15
You’re thinking of making a complaint because your boss hasn’t asked how you are? Ok.''

I am thinking of making a complaint because no one is acknowledging receipt of my sick notes.

As a manager myself I would always have the decency to confirm that I have received them and wish the employee well, especially when talking about long term sick leave.

But I guess common decency is in short supply in your world.

Thank you @Ohmygodthepain for sharing.

I had a similar issue with this company when I had some sick leave 3 years ago.

On my first day back I was asked to ignored the recommendations made by the GP on my sick note (who basically stated I was only fit for work if reasonable adjustments were put in place).

HR then became involved and finally occupational health who reminded them of the legal need to consider reasonable adjustments for someone with a protected characteristic.

So there is a pattern of not being supportive in any way.

I’d be cc’ing HR in any communications. Yes your manager should have at least acknowledged receipt of your emails.

Forward your original emails to HR and ask them to confirm receipt.

Sod your manager, they are clearly an arse.

They could have just forwarded to HR, our policy is to contact HR not individual managers. It can be difficult both ways and I remember reading of someone with an upheld complaint she made about being sent a birthday card when off sick as she felt harassed.

It depends what they’re off for. Broken leg? Yes I’d ask how it was going. Anxiety and depression? Not a chance. Too much risk. I’ve seen people claim ‘keep us posted’ is hassling them to come back. I’d forward to HR and let them liaise.

Complain to who? Presumably if it’s HR, they will tell you sick notes go to them.