Sick leave - no sick note

[wishuwerehere]

So i've cocked up a bit - I've been of work sick for a week (going back in today) because of pregnancy related sickness. What I didn't realise was that you need to get a sick note on the first day of sickness. My employer told me they wanted a sicknote after about 4 days, (there's no term in my contract about sick notes so I didn't know) so I got an appt at the doctors (couldn't get one immeadiately) and, as I know now, couldn't get a retroactive sick note. I've never needed one before so literally had no clue about them. And I didn't know I was going to be off that long either, so i wouldn't have assumed I'd need one on the first day of sickness anyway.

Upshot is I don't have a sick note, and I don't really know what to do. this is not my permanent employer - I don't work summer hols so am temping so I only have 3 weeks left on this contract. Basically if I can be fired then it won't be the end of the world, but does anyone know what's likely to happen when I tell them? I was going to give them my mat ex certificate just to prove I am actually preg (they don't know yet, just told them I was sick, was hoping not to tell at all but think I'm going to have to come clean) and be honest and see what happens. I'm not expecting to be paid for the time off or to have accrued holiday or anything, just want to know what they can do re my contract!

 

[LDC]

You should be ok...usually it's any longer than 7 days and you need a sick note. You can self certify your own sickness for a week, any longer than a week you need a sick note. Even if they need a sick note, they can't do anything about it for the sake of a week. If they give you a warning I'd appeal...a though might not be worth it if your contract is going to end but they essentially can't do anything about it when it's just a week. I.e. worst case scenario of they took you to small claims course they'd be laughed out.

I really wouldn't worry

X

 

[wishuwerehere]

I think it's 8 days including the weekend - why would they take me to small claims??? If they haven't paid me why would they need to claim anything???

 

[Pearls18]

I always thought you could sign yourself off for a week. I would think it would be different with pregnancy though, seems a waste of time to go to the doctors when you're ill and should be at home when all they're going to say is...yeah you're pregnant, I would speak to your MW see if she has previous experience?

 

[LDC]

No I mean if they were going to be asses, the only thing they could do is take you to small claims - which they won't because they'd be laughed out. I was using worst case scenario, don't panic!! If you'd been off for a long time then yes they'd probably end your contract because there is no point keeping you on. Everyone gets sick, a week isn't anything.

But surely you don't work 7 days a week? Your working week is classed as the days you work. So if you work Monday - Friday and are going in today then it's a week today that you've been off sick.

I really wouldn't worry, they can't do anything.

Xx

 

[LDC]

P.s. just note for next time that any longer than a week all companies require a doctors sick note xx

 

[wishuwerehere]

I just looked at the dwp page and i was off friday then monday to friday and i thought they'd include the weekend in their time i'd been sick, that's all. I need to email them anyway and see what they say before i get in too much of a pickle.