HR advice needed please re sick pay/return to work

[Willowskyblue]

Please could someone with HR knowledge advise me on the following:
Background: I was involved in trying to resuscitate a close colleague who collapsed and died at work. As a result of the stress of the situation I then developed a serious health issue, was hospitalised and have remained off work until recently, when I returned on a phased return for a week. I have provided fit notes throughout. I do not know yet whether my health will recover fully or not as I am still recovering.

1. In such circumstances, is the first day of absence counted as a sick day (I understand it's usual to self-certify for a certain time but am not sure of the duration and if this counts as a sick day)?
2. Does what my contract states re sick pay override any policy changes that have taken place regarding sick pay in the time I have worked for the employer (10+ years)?
3. What is the usual procedure for a phased return - from what I have found online today it seems pre-return it has to be agreed and a plan drawn up and agreed? This hasn't happened. FYI, I have had a return to work interview but on the fourth day after return, not the first, which I am aware is not how it should happen.
4. Should my health issue as a result of the incident at work be recorded in the accident book?

Thank you - I want to be on sure footing before I tackle what I believe are errors that were raised in my return to work interview.

Name changed as am aware some colleagues use MN, but have been on here for 20+ years!

So let’s take a scenario - colleague collapsed and you tried to resuscitate them but in the process you aggravated an old back injury. This required hospitalisation and a phased return to work.

1. The injury to your back occurred at work so it should be recorded as an accident at work I.e. put in the accident book.
2. If you went home/ to hospital the day it occurred, unless it was early in the day, I would not treat that as a sick day. So Day 1 sick is the following day.
3. Self certification is 7 calendar days starting on Day 1, so Day 1 is a Wednesday your fit note should start the following Wednesday. However, your GP can sign you off sick from Day 1 if it’s clear your absence is going to be longer than 7 days.
4. Occupational Sick pay - difficult to say if the policy changes apply to you or not.
5. Phased return, normally your GP sets out the phased return in a fit note and it is agreed before you return to work. My experience is you start on say 3 hours a day for 2 weeks then increase by an hour every week/2 weeks.
6. I would be getting legal advice about making a claim for accident at work. If you have this on your house insurance that would be helpful. Before anyone jumps on me it’s not up to an employer to initiate this. I would be asking for the period of your absence to be paid in full and disregarded for sick absence monitoring purposes.

HTH

Thank you @Harassedevicteethat is really, really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to respond so fully.