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off sick before mat leave

3 replies

indigobarbie · 18/03/2010 12:17

Don't know if this is the right place to post, but thought I'd see if anyone can advise me. I was signed off work in Nov 09 with SPD in pregnancy and submitted a signing off line to work to commence with their date of early mat leave for me which was 11th Jan. I had intended to potentially not go back to work until maybe August time. However, I have just had my child 3 weeks ago and my died dad 2 weeks ago. I feel emotional enough about having the baby and pile on top of that the fact that my dad died and that my SPD is still here and have been advised by my physio that it may take me many months to recover.

Someone has said to me that I should signed off sick from work again, mentioning that I will of course get full pay and that this is better than going onto SMP. I have no clue about any of this and I certainly don't want to be 'cheating the system'.

Does anyone have any comments on this or advice on what I should do. My instinct tells me to wait and see when I think I might be Ok to return to work - but will this be too late then if it ends up that I am actually still immobile etc?

OP posts:
rockinhippy · 18/03/2010 12:35

its a few years since I was dealing with things like this, so any advice I can give might be out of date, but do ring ACAS, you can ask them anonomously, & they will give you upto date advice on any work related issues

good luck, & sorry to read you've been having such a tough time

flowerybeanbag · 18/03/2010 12:44

If you had your baby 3 weeks ago you are on maternity leave already though, surely? So you don't need to be signed off work sick because you are not at work anyway.

If as and when your date for returning to work comes you are not fit for work, obviously you can get signed off then. It's never too late to get signed off, if you're not fit you can get signed off on the morning you're due back if necessary.

Technically you can bring forward your date of return from mat leave as long as you give 8 weeks' notice, and could then be off sick. But although you could technically do that I wouldn't advise it.

indigobarbie · 18/03/2010 15:02

Guys thanks for your advice.
Yes, I am on maternity leave already (not very good with lines and signing on and off etc! sorry) Think I will wait to see how I am nearer the time when I want to return. No point in dwelling on 'oh, I might not be well then' when indeed my recovery could be quicker. Although I haven't decided on a return date yet, I will do this but not at the moment. Many Thanks for taking the time to post up

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