if i went to the doctor saying i was run down and need signed off are they obliged to sign me off?

Question

things have really got on top of me lately, i work constant nightshift and work every weekend never get enough sleep needless to say im constantly tired and worn out,hardly get to spend quality time with my partner who is off every weekend, housework etc is suffering also, i was paid off from my last job nearly a year ago so been in this rut for a year, feel i really need 2-3 weeks off to catch up with things can my doctor refuse me a sick line if i ask for one?

Answer 1

Yes your doctor can refuse - there are still some doctors think that mental health isn't as important as physical. Hopefully you have a sympathetic doctor though...tell him how stressed you are and that you're not sleeping and with any luck your doc will help you. Take the first week to re-charge your batteries, then take a week to look for a new job with more family-friendly working policies. Good luck :)

Answer 2

As others have already said the doctor is not obliged to give you time off, but if he sees that you are really that stressed and run down most sympathetic doctors would sign you off for maybe a week, and the first week you can self certificate, so that would give you the two weeks you say you need, but I agree that you should spend some of that time looking for another job that doesn't stress you out so much and has less hours, preferably with weekends off. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 3

No, your doctor isn't obliged to give you a sick note purely because you ask for one. However, if you explain your situation, and the fact that you feel you need some time out, he might sign you off for a short while. In the first instance, from experience, the doctor will normally sign you off for a week; you have to make a repeat appointment with him to assess your health after that.

Christmas is just around the corner - will you get some time off then? That should help to recharge the batteries.

Answer 4

They can refuse, but in my experience, when I've asked to be signed off, they always have - I got six months sign off once for being run down and stressed. I was REALLY ill, despite no physical symptoms, mentally, I was a wreck.

If you get tearful when you think about how run down and stressed you are (I used to), then you need that time off. I have to add, getting tearful in the doctors office definitely helped me.

One last thing, if you live in a small town, get away from there after you are signed off sick - try to go to a parents or on holiday for the last week or so. When you're run down you still want to be able to go out there and live your life, but with prying workmates who don't realise how debilatating the whole thing is, being seen to live a normal life can bring your sick pay into question.

If you need a break, make damn sure you get it.

Answer 5

Yes he can. However if you tell him exactly what you have just told us, I am sure he will help.He is not allowed to `sign you off` unless he feels that you are unfit medically to go to work.If I were you I would not ask him for a sick note right away, when he asks you what your problem is tell him about the tiredness etc, and wait for him to mention about giving you a sick note. When you are at the end of the consultation if he hasn`t offered you one, then you ask him for one. (doctors are the same as everyone else, they don`t like someone else telling them how to do their job!) I don`t think you will have any problem with it. I do hope you start to feel better soon. Isn`t it possible to get a `day job`? Night work is tiring, it upsets the bodys`` `time clock`.

Answer 6

Hi, I've been where you have been and didn't heed the warning. I ended up with full blown depression and a stay on a psych ward. Well done for having the guts to do something about it early. Your doctor is not obliged but is going to put your health first. You get 7 days before you need a sick note anyway but go and see your doctor, it might help to talk about it.

Answer 7

They won't just give you one for feeling run down, you would have to explain how it is affecting your stress levels, ability to cope and your mental health. They will ask you many questions to ascertain if you really need to be signed off. If you are depressed or have any suicidal thoughts. They may suggest you talk to your employer, take some annual leave or look for a new job. Ultimately it is up to the doctor you see if they sign you off or not but they will take you seriously.

Answer 8

Yes the doctor can and should refuse you unless you are actually sick. (that could be physically or mentally) I don't know about giving you 2-3 weeks, but 2-3 days might be possible. What you really need to do is create a routine that will allow you to get enough sleep. Maybe you need to look for a different job.

Answer 9

my husband is in the exact same boat as you, he works constant nights, 4 on 4 off and during the week has to get up at 3 for when the kids come home. He went to the Dr last week and has been signed off now until after Xmas. He has had to go to see his company's Dr too, who also said that he needs to take it easy and shouldn't do any lifting at work and take regular breaks, they also agreed with his own GP's verdict of time off work.

Go and explain your situation to your GP, if he doesn't agree you could ask to see another one, at your surgery.

Answer 10

don't think he is obliged to but there is no harm in trying, he can only say no. and if he does say no do you have no holiday time left? maybe you could take a couple of weeks holiday and take your partner away for a long weekend (doesn't have to be anywhere expensive) sounds like you could both do with a bit of quality time together.
good luck and i hope you feel better soon