I've been off work for four days with flu and a chest infection – someone called in for me and on the third day they said I'd be off a few days. I went to the doctors today; he gave me a doctor's note and said to stay off for another week.
I work in a call centre, so 5am starts talking on the phone for 8 hours with a sore throat, sore ears and still feeling very ill, this additional week off is a good idea.
Thing is my manager is apparently very annoyed that I am off work so I am worried about any possible repercussions, I am wondering will a sick note will be enough to stop them trying to fire me or put me onto disciplinary for sickness?
I'm also wondering am I right in thinking sick pay with a sick note is provided by the government rather than work – how much should I be getting while on the sick?
Should I call into work to let them know what's happening and say I have a sick note?
I'm not used to being off for this length of time, so not sure about these things.
2007-01-15 08:07:41 · 13 answers · asked by ? 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
A doctor's note is sufficient to cover you for this period of absence. The Company could take action but it would be unreasonable and warrant an unfair dismissal case.
No- one should dismiss on those grounds.
As regards to your sick pay - it all depends on what is in your contract. If there is no provision for sick pay then you will get SSP. However if there is a clause you could be entitled to contractually enhanced sick pay.
SSP only kicks in after 3 days'.
You should always keep your employer informed about your situation.
Try not to worry too much.
If they do dismiss you then consult a solicitor, but I doubt very much that they will
2007-01-15 08:20:58 · answer #1 · answered by button_mushroom_x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a sick note from your doctor, I believe there is absolutely no way they can fire you. You may have to have an interview when you go back to work though. Also I always thought that the company pays the sick pay especially as you are only off for a couple of weeks. Normally after a set period of time i;e 6 months you will not get sick pay at all. To be completely certain, speak to your human resources department
2007-01-15 08:14:24 · answer #2 · answered by gingajen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have worked in a few different call centers and in my experience they were all more concerned about having enough people to answer the phones at all times than my health. I don't know if it just call centers that are like that, but that was my experience. I once got written up for absences and they counted some from when I had to go to the hospital because I was pregnant and having complications--just to give you an example of how strict they can be.
If you have any vacation time you can use you might ask if they will let you use that to cover your absences---that is the only way I have found that they will excuse it and not miss any pay.
You can also try to get you absences covered by applying FMLA if you have documentation from your doctor, but you have to have been working full time for at least 1 year and each company has their own procedures for how to apply for it and how much time will be paid when you are out, if it is even paid at all--contact the H.R. dept for help on that one.
2007-01-15 08:23:16 · answer #3 · answered by KELLI 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your work is responsible for paying you sick pay. It may be that you contract states they will pay you your normal salary, but if it is only SSP (statutory sick pay) then it's about £70 per week (after 4 waiting day - ie you don't get paid for the first 4 days (might be 3)).
You have to report to your work that your sick leave has been extended and they need to have the sick note that your doctor gave you.
You cannot be sacked for being off sick or you can have them in the tribunal. Your manager will just have to be annoyed - he/she'll get over it.
Relax and stop worrying - otherwise you won't get better!
2007-01-15 08:14:37 · answer #4 · answered by Rachael H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They cannot do anything if you have a sick note, a sick note from the doctor is above question. Your sick pay will all depend on your company policy, you may find that you will have to get it from the DSS which isnt all that much unless you are entitled to staatatory sick pay from work whicj could be full pay for X amount of weeks. Some companies take the attitude that If you are off work whether or not sick, you are not forefilling you contract - which I think is total crap.
2007-01-15 08:16:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all you'll be on ssp which is about £66 a week then it depends if your company have their own sick pay if not it'll still be ssp.
your company can't sack you for being off sick BUT they can have a policy where you can have a disciplinary for more than one absence even if you only get ssp.
send your sick note in asap as they can with hold any sick pay without it, but do try to call them yourself to let them know you've been signed off by a doctor.
2007-01-15 12:27:28 · answer #6 · answered by katrina c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they cannot fire you if you have a sick note, but some companies may use other reasons if they want rid of you. Most companies only give you sick pay for a few weeks then you must apply for statutory sick pay (they can tell you how). its a standard amount from the government.
when i had surgery last year i had to take 4 weeks as sick and 2 weeks as holiday to get full pay
2007-01-15 08:16:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most employers don't like it when their staff are off although, good ones will wish you a speedy recovery. If you have been signed off sick by a doctor you need to send in the certificate to your manager at work. Fill in the back of the form before you send it in. Towards the end of your sick leave, if you feel that you are still unwell, you need to return to your GP for another certificate. Remember that your health is important and you need to fully recover before returning to work. Your employer cannot sack you for being off sick - that is illegal. You will need to check in your employment contract as regards to the company policy for sick pay - that is down to individual employers. I would out of courtesy put a call into your manager to let them know what is going on. You cannot be disciplined for being off sick unless, you are constantly off work - things like friday's and mondays always! Don't be bullied - hold your head up and be confident - they will not try and bully you then.
2007-01-15 08:17:33 · answer #8 · answered by Bexs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If her contract does not state that she receives statutory sick pay then you do not have to give her sick pay. However, some businesses (I am not sure about yours) have insurance that covers sick pay meaning that you pay her and they pay you. If you are concerned about her welfare then perhaps you could meet her half way and pay her half what she would earn in the time that she has missed?
2016-05-24 07:41:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should keep your boss up on your status. I don't think they can legally fire you if you are under a doctor's care unless you don't check in with them. And your sick pay is probably coming from your employer. Your medical insurance may also have some type of sick/disability pay built into it, but generally it is only available once you have been off for "X" number of days, and then only a specified dollar amount of percentage of your income. But it is still something to check into... but most important is to keep your boss informed.
2007-01-15 08:16:00 · answer #10 · answered by lace-a-kins 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋