Anyone clued up on HR ?

lindsay ormerod · 06-03-2008, 19:01

I was wondering if I could go back into work with my plaster cast on? I have been told by a couple of people that it's not allowed whilst you are still signed off sick as your employers won't be covered insurance wise should anything happen to you.
Is this the case?
I have googled without much success, may have to ring Citizen's advice in morning if m'learned friends on here don't know !

Margaret Pilkington · 06-03-2008, 19:04

Couldn't you seek advice from your own company's HR dept...they may have their own policies regarding such things.

cashman · 06-03-2008, 19:35

unless things have changed linds,you cannot return to work,whilst yer sick note is running, simple as.

lindsay ormerod · 06-03-2008, 19:43

Think I might have to Marg, am bored already and could probably do something at work but don't want to make things worse ! Thought there might be a simple answer, maybe Cashy's is it !

cashman · 06-03-2008, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

Think I might have to Marg, am bored already and could probably do something at work but don't want to make things worse ! Thought there might be a simple answer, maybe Cashy's is it !

that was always the case in my union career linds, though it ended 10 yrs ago,i think it still stands.

shillelagh · 06-03-2008, 19:56

If you go back to work before your sick note ends then you cant have another sick note for the same illness. This means if you do go back to work then you will get no sick pay if you make the problem worse. Thats what i got told when i was put on the sick 14 years ago.

WillowTheWhisp · 06-03-2008, 19:56

I think Cashy is right.

mickmc · 06-03-2008, 19:57

I think if you read the MED 3 sick note carefully, it say " I advise that you refrain from work for a period of....."

Therfore it is advice not an instruction that you cannot work - in reality your Company should make a risk assesment both to you and your fellow employees of the possible risks in you coming back to work, if they deem them to be within acceptable limits there is no reason why you can't go back to work with a pot on

They may have to check with the Companies insurers though

lindsay ormerod · 06-03-2008, 20:00

Thanks Mick, it's the insurance bit that I was pondering, if something fell on my arm or I slipped it could be a tricky if the company then turned round and said I wasn't covered !

Margaret Pilkington · 06-03-2008, 20:05

Speak with your own HR dept.....they will know what the insurance position is, and will be able to advise you.
I'm sure I had nurses return to duty before their sick note ran out, but of course they were checked by our own Occupational health Dept and given the all clear first.

nikkival · 06-03-2008, 20:30

Cashman is right, you cannot return to work whilst covered by a sick note, your doctor has to sign you as fit to work, this is a condition of the employers liability insurance.

You may be able to return to work with a cast on provided that both your doctor and employer support this and they will have to adapt your duties until you are 100% fit. You can ask to discuss this with your line manager who will take advice from your HR department at Head Office, or you could contact them yourself as already suggested.

lindsay ormerod · 06-03-2008, 20:36

Thanks peeps ! Looks like I will be sitting it out for a while then , at least till fracture clinic next week !

Less · 06-03-2008, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

Thanks peeps ! Looks like I will be sitting it out for a while then , at least till fracture clinic next week !

Gives you plenty of time to think of new threads on here.

harwood red · 07-03-2008, 00:04

Crikey Lindsay thought you were trying to work me out with the thread title!!!!!!!

A company like boots would not accept a worker going back to work whilst signed off sick due to the insurance implication as you mentioned. However, there is nothing to stop you going back to your doctors and asking him/her to sign you back on but with a covering letter stating limited duties/reduced hours.

I did that after my car accident as it was driving me mad stuck at home

cashman · 07-03-2008, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by harwood red

Crikey Lindsay thought you were trying to work me out with the thread title!!!!!!!

A company like boots would not accept a worker going back to work whilst signed off sick due to the insurance implication as you mentioned. However, there is nothing to stop you going back to your doctors and asking him/her to sign you back on but with a covering letter stating limited duties/reduced hours.

I did that after my car accident as it was driving me mad stuck at home

exactly what i said without the waffle.