Self cert sickness

[hopefully]

I'm 27 weeks pregnant, and I'm suffering sporadically with a bad back. It's certainly not enough to want to be signed off work, and I want to carry on as late as possible, but I could do with the odd day to lie flat on my back and not move!

If I call in sick with a bad back, how does the 5 days self cert apply? Or does it not while I'm pregnant? Basically, if I call in sick for more than 5 days (not consecutively), because of the same reason, do I need to get a doctor's note?

Also, what stage is it that they can force me to go on maternity leave if I call in sick?

Any advice appreciated!

You can self certify yourself for up to a week (it's actually defined as 7 calendar days, which is obviously 5 working days for most people). Longer than that you'll need a doctor's note, but the process doesn't change because it's pregnancy-related, and 5 separate days would be fine.

Having said that, if your company pays any occupational sick pay (more than SSP) I would expect them to have something in their policy about this, probably saying that you can self-cert for up to a week, but they reserve the right to request a medical certificate at any time should they feel concerned about level and/or frequency of sickness absence. They will also probably reserve the right to send you to occupational health or their own doctor for an opinion as well. So don't do it too often.

They can force you to start maternity leave at 36 weeks if you are off sick with pg-related illness.

Hmmm.... Not ideal, but suppose it's fair enough! I hate the idea of having to face the prospect of getting a doc's note every time, but definitely don't want to get signed off (I like my job!).

Company does pay more than statutory sick pay, so I suppose I'll just have to be upfront with them if I need to call in sick and see what happens.

Can't imagine they'll ask for one every time. Just if it starts happening a lot they might, especially as they pay sick pay themselves.

I agree being upfront is the best option, do that, and self cert each time, and just see how you go - it might not become too much of a problem anyway - the odd day off for a rest might help a lot.

Is working from home occasionally an option for you?

Might sound daft (and maybe you already have) but have you actually talked to them about this?

An employer who feels that an employee is off sick frequently and unexpectedly(whether pregnancy related or not) is likely to get mildly annoyed. That's life.

On the other hand, an employer who understands that there is one particular issue that is causing a problem has much more opportunity to be understanding and find work-arounds. For example, is it that you have bad days unexpectedly, or that it all sort of builds up? There may be arrangements like home working, staggered start dates, etc, that would (depending on the nature of your job) help you both to cope with the issue most effectively.

The other thing is, look at this perspective. Say you sign yourself off for five separate days. As your manager, I would be thinking "shit, are we doing something wrong? Are we not giving this employee the right support/chair/workstation?." The default action of an employer in that situation (in this increasingly litigous world) is a formal occupational health review plus possibly requiring sick notes. On the other hand, if I know what's going on, even if it is at short notice, I can relax more because I know that the bigger picture is under control.

Finally, you do know that a doctor can do more than sign you off don't you? For example, a doctor can say that you are fit to work, but should not stand for long periods (or whatever). An employer will then try and work within that.

Thanks for that ribena and flowery.

I haven't actually broached this with him, but I'm terrified they'll think I'm taking the piss because I already work 2 days a week from home (eventually sorted after much drama, including me being signed off for 2 weeks with exhaustion, much earlier on in pregnancy). I think the drama I had with this is also making me increasingly paranoid about talking to them about any problem until I absolutely have to, but suppose I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

We do have a (slightly mad...) occupational health lady, so maybe I'll pop down and speak to her, so at least they are aware that there's a potential problem, and can (with a bit of luck) be understanding, and I can see if there's any kind of procedure for things like this - big company, so it's entirely likely. I also have a midwife appointment next week, so I'll speak to her and maybe have a quick chat with the doctor - didn't realise doc could make other recommendations!

Job is mostly desk bound, maybe I just need booting up the arse to move around more and ease my aching back! I'm a lot more inclined to get up and go for a five minute walk every hour or so when I'm at home, but there's such a 'staying at your desk all day' culture in the office.

ps, you're both so sensible! It's so easy to get worked up and forget that employers are actually humans as well.

Employers are indeed humans! Well, mostly....

Ha ha.

Hopefully - would a note from your doctor saying that you HAD to take a walk every hour help? That way, you would be more likely to do it and it would be easier to break the 'stay at desk' culture. That's exactly the sort of thing that a GP can recommend if they think it appropriate, and they will often put it on a note if they think that that will help the employee make it happen.

That's probably not a bad idea ribena, I'll mention it to the doc next week.

Thanks for your help ribena and flowery!