Anyone up on employment law?

[stephec]

Who can answer this for me?

When I ring in sick am I obliged to tell them exactly why?

A while ago I remember a union official telling me all i had to say was, "I'm unfit for work," and that was as much as I neeeded to say. Also, whilst I was off no one was supposed to contact me from work to enquire when I would be back in, how right am I on this?

 

[fossyant]

You should tell them - best being honest. They can also ring you to see when you might be back - it's also good practice. Many places expect you to phone every day - mine does, unless it's from a sick note that states how long you are off.

I'm sure my line manager would have been sick to death if I had to call him every day after my shoulder op.

 

[stephec]

So what if you have something ahem 'personal'?

Surely that's between you and your doctor, which is what the law is meant to protect?

 

[JonnyBlade]

Who can answer this for me?

When I ring in sick am I obliged to tell them exactly why?

A while ago I remember a union official telling me all i had to say was, "I'm unfit for work," and that was as much as I neeeded to say. Also, whilst I was off no one was supposed to contact me from work to enquire when I would be back in, how right am I on this?

Whilst you can self certify your own sick leave for the first 7 days of any sick period you have to let your employer know the reason you are unable to attend work. After all you'll have to put it on the form when you return to work so why with hold it initially?
From a safety point of view, your employer needs to know if it's a work related illness and if so take appropriate steps. On the other hand if your return might place other staff at risk, again the employer needs to know and to take appropriate action if needed

 

[JonnyBlade]

Whilst you can self certify your own sick leave for the first 7 days of any sick period you have to let your employer know the reason you are unable to attend work. After all you'll have to put it on the form when you return to work so why with hold it initially?
From a safety point of view, your employer needs to know if it's a work related illness and if so take appropriate steps. On the other hand if your return might place other staff at risk, again the employer needs to know and to take appropriate action if needed

PS
All calls to home should be about your welfare and how the employer can help you return to work within appropriate timescales

 

[quassleberry]

You don't have to say why you are 'off sick' but on your return to work you would need to either fill in 'your companys' equivalent of an SC1 or an actual SC1 if your company doesn't have its own (for the 1st seven days) then you would need a doctors certificate which again doesn't have to specify exactly the reason.

They can't ring you to hassle you for a return to work date but they can ring to ask how you are doing unless you/family tell them you will contact them. If memory serves me right if 'stress' is mentioned a whole new scenario is opened up.

You can also ask to be referred to your companys employee health & welfare advisor - if your company is big enough - they can move mountains if needed to (that is my experience of them anyway). A lot of companys use ATOS for employee health.

This is from my own experience & knowledge as a rep & an employee. The actual law does change but I don't think the fundamentals have changed that much since I needed the help.

 

[vernon]

A colleague invents ailments that maximises the embarrassment of the person recording the details of the absence. He got fed up with being asked about the nature of the problems that caused his absence.

At my place of work it is expected that:

A teacher rings in on the first day of absence at least forty minutes before th start of the school day.
Work is set for the classes that will have a supply teacher.
The nature of the problem/illness is identified
The anticipated date of return is supplied
That a daily phone call is made to update the school and set work (when off for less than a week.)

 

[Hover Fly]

Is it actually compulsory to ring in when sick? At my last proper job several employees had no telephone installed and waited until they returned before filling in the sick form.

 

[Melonfish]

whether you HAVE to ring in is in your company handbook, but most places say you have to ring every day you're off until you get a return to work note from your doc.
also remember that 7 days certification includes weekends!! a lot of people get caught out with this.

if you have to report in sick and its a personal problem, simply say so, "i won't be able to come in today due to a personal issue"
this is all that's required of you and your employer should not push the matter, some managers may do so but you can refuse and say thats all you're willing to give info wise.

if it is a medical prob see your doc soonest and if you need it get a return to work note sorted, get it sent in (post is fine) and then you can stop guilt tripping and worrying about when you have to get back and get on with getting better
pete