Sick leave

[Conolly20]

Hi been off work 8 month now with seemingly never ending pain sick note due renewal but not sure how long they can give you one for

[FRreedman]

Your GP can give you one for as long as you need (in his/her opinion) to recover. I used to go every 6 months, but DWP said they were no longer required as my condition was unlikely to change. (They still only offer me a three year review).

[Conolly20 in reply to FRreedman]

I've had mine 8 month different time scales.But due for renewal 12th January worried sick they won't give me it as physically and mentally I know I'm not capable of doing my job

[Trixie18 in reply to Conolly20]

Hi I’m nee on here my gp told me about groups today as I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia this morning I really feel for you all so stay safe and keep warm will help with pain as for your sick note I don’t see why there will be a problem phone your dr in the morning and ask for an urgent telephone appointment and simply ask that’s all you can do if your dr knows you then this shouldn’t be a problem then you can stop feeling the stress which will help with symptoms xx hope this helps

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Working must be hard with your fibro pain and sounds like it’s continous, I see you have had a helpful reply from FReedman, I do hope things improve for you, have you seen or spoken on the telephone with your GP lately, have you been offered any help ie change of meds ?? .

[Conolly20 in reply to Yassytina]

Try to give me new meda but been on others 2 year now with very little effect.Im fed up of the pain and doing very little but hurt like hell day after.Sat here falling asleep but way too early for bed.Just no I'm not ready for returning to my job 40hpw shifts and highly demanding.Plus alot of personal problems intensify my pain

[skit]

Hisick notes are no longer referred to like that; they are called fitness to work or some daft wording. GPs are meant to review your condition either way. I was not attending paid employment for a year before my employers decided that they wanted a second opinion. I did not have the diagnosis then. I was dismissed as medically inefficient. If you have documented Fibromyalgia they can still dismiss you but you have a better case for redress as HMG recognises Fibro as disabling condition so comes under discrimination laws.

[Conolly20 in reply to skit]

Thank you

[Dinkie]

Your employers may insist on an occupational health assessment. My employers did although the only reason they requested it was that some busybody in the office spotted my blue badge and decided I was a "risk" to the company under health and safety. Nonsense of course because health and safety rules and regs apply to everyone. To cut a long story short reluctantly I attended and have to say that it was totally in my favour. Upshot was more breaks, car parking space nearer to office, new chair, different uniform (so I didn't have to put clothes over my head, revised hours (I have trouble driving in the dark) etc etc. If they do not go through this route they may find themselves in breach of the Equalities Act 2010 and open to legal proceedings for unfair dismissal etc. My husband's company failed to go through this procedure and it cost them dear when he was ill and finally left the company.