Should work have contacted me

[managingexpectations]

I’ve been off work for 11 days which includes 6 working days. 7 days self certified and another week signed off due to some ongoing personal stuff which has been going on for 5 weeks.
I phoned in sick and spoke to a supervisor who was clearly not very happy I was let coming in. I’ve kept my direct supervisor up to date by email and I’ve heard nothing. Not even an acknowledgement to my email explaining that I’d be off for longer than 7 days nor an acknowledgement they have received my sick line which I sent by email.
I’m not usually off sick and never been signed off before so I’m not sure if it’s normal or not?

Imagine they are just busy arranging cover. What did you want them to say?

My manager would have replied saying they hoped everything was ok and to contact them if I need anything, or something.

But the general rule is that they shouldn’t contact you and so I don’t think they’ve done anything wrong.

They don’t organise cover there’s a whole other department that’s responsible for that.
I don’t expect much to be honest but an acknowledgement of the email would have been nice.
the sickness policy is contact on day 1, day 3 and if long term an agreed contact schedule with the employee.
On the odd occasion I’ve been off previously (4 times in 16 years) I’ve had the day one contact to discuss how long I’ll be off.

Our sickness policy requires you to phone in. Have you tried calling?

I phoned to report sick on the first day. Previously line manager phones later that day just to check in but the day I phoned in sick I was nights so when they didn’t call I wasn’t overly surprised. I emailed when I knew I wouldn’t be in for my next set of working days so line manager knew. I phoned the department that arranges cover and advised them too.
I just think it’s rude not to acknowledge the emails although I may be over thinking it after the other supervisor was clearly annoyed I was going off.

In my experience most managers will leave you alone for a while. You are an adult and capable of telling them when you will be back to work. If it goes on more than 2 weeks or so I think they'll want a bit more info/prognosis.

There have been court cases where an employee has tried to claim harrassment etc when their employer has contacted them unnecessarily whilst on leave. I imagine they're going to limit contact with you to the bare minimum and not send unnecessary texts/emails/phone calls. And by "unnecessary" I mean they may consider a simple acknowledgement back to you is "unnecessary". With all the employment protection legislation these days (and more incoming), I imagine employers are taking what they're told on courses etc very seriously.

That’s very true. I know that others have been contacted while off, it’s the least discreet place to work! I think because I’m not off very often the lack of contact seemed odd. I’ll find out when I’m back how annoyed they are im off

As ex manager of big global company with robust HR, in Uk, manager would not contact for period self certified . They would also not contact if your wellness note from GP singed off for another 7 days. After that we’d call in start of third week to see how things were if we hadn’t got another GP note extending by then. At 6 weeks we’d engage with occ health in company to contact unless work related on which case that’d trigger earlier occ health intervention
issue is if you as manager start calling it can be perceived as harassment or it can just make things work. It does depend on employee - some of my reports would call the general reporting line then call me or email and be quite open …depending on what it was I might have contacted them before if I knew they w were absolutely ok with being contacted
it’s a bit of mine field frankly- most should follow HR Policy to letter if you have one

I would expect an email confirming acknowledgement. It's rude and stressful for you.

I just don’t know if my emails have even been received/seen. A quick, thanks for letting me know is all I really thought I’d get.

@Limehawkmothour contact police is day one, day 3 and then at an agreed contact schedule with the employee. I’ve always been contacted on day 1 we don’t report sick to a supervisor but to a separate central line.
other supervisors have given their mobile numbers to their direct reports but mine hasn’t so I can’t only email to the work email address. I’m pretty sure it’s right so hopefully they know where I am and what’s going on. I’m not overly concerned, my reasons are genuine and GP agreed I need time off it’s just that sickness when you’re not one of the few who are off regularly is seen as a problem as they like to have staff in that they can count on to turn up. I’m fully expecting a frosty return.