What does it say on a sick note?

Question

I have just been referred to a counsellor by my GP for depression however my doctor said she would give me a sick note if I felt I needed some time off but I was just wondering what it would say on the sick note as obviosly my employer would see it

Answer 1

It will probably say depresssion but its so common now that they wont think anything of it. Dont worry

Answer 2

Hi, you usually go in and get the sick note yourself after a chat with the doctor - so you usually get to see it for yourself and send it to your work.

You can speak to your doctor and ask him/her to word it sensitively, if you are uncomfortable with them knowing about your depression. I understand if you are uncomfortable with it. It's a shame that it's not widely understood as an illness, rather than a weakness. It's not your fault that you have it, and it happens to a lot of people. So if your GP does use the word 'depression' on the note, try not to worry about it too much. It's nothing that you've done wrong.

xx Emmie

Answer 3

it would just say that you need such and such time off to recover. Make sure you check out what your employer's sick leave policy is, just to cover yourself that way---you might have to apply for FMLA if you need more than just a few days off.

it should NEVER state what the illness is, nor can your employer legally ask it, either, unless you're applying for FMLA.
AND, if you do choose to let your HR person know, this should be kept CONFIDENTIAL, whatever the reason for your time off, be it the flu, depression or a hangnail.

Answer 4

My sick notes said depression and were signed for two weeks at a time. It doesn't have the same stigma attatched to it anymore.

Answer 5

It may say stress or stress related problems, that covers a lot without giving much away and then the amount of time for you to be off work. Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 6

You would see it first! We have to be honest on a sick note, we also, with your consent, are often asked to send honest factual reports to your work. Generally a doctor would write depression. There are one or two tricks sometimes used. I might write the diagnosis in jargon, endogenous affective disorder for example.

Answer 7

Sorry Tommy come to work today he is sick in the head a little crazy, he's lost his marbles. No no i think is just a note of some kind confirming that you need time off and nothing of a personal nature

Answer 8

I think they will write the name of the illness on the note, but if you're worried about how it will look to your employer, ask your doctor if they can keep the diagnosis confidential.

Answer 9

They could phrase it as anything from "depression" "mental health issues" to the most probably which would simply be phrased "stress". Ask your doctor and explain to her that you are concerned about what your employer would think.

Answer 10

sick note will generalize the reason you need the time off from work.

In your case it will mention the depression and at what level or severity it is at and how long you will need to be away from work and may even list medications.

Answer 11

It gives the medical reason for your absence, plus a time of absence ie two weeks, 4 days etc.
I don't believe you have to give it to your line manager, you could just give it to your HR department. Your manager would of course have to keep the reason confidential.