working my notice while on sick leave

[Night Owl]

Hi, I work as a medical secretary for the NHS. I have been off since December 07 due to stress. My sick note runs out on 19th March. I have an occupational health interview on 12th March. I contacted HR last month to say that I could not face returning to my job and asked if I could hand in a month's notice (I had seen my GP that day who gave me another sick note for one month) to coincide with my sick note. They advised me to wait until my occupational health interview. I contacted occy health to say that I did not plan to return to my job and wanted to know if in the event that they tell me I have to return to work whether or not I can hand in my notice, even though my sick note runs out the following week. She said that it does not work like that and they will try and support me. Not sure if they can support me. I am so stressed and realise that the job changed my whole personality. My work colleagues were bitchy and my manager was totally unsupportive. I will never ever return to that department ever again. Should I just hand in my notice now and not bother going to the occy health appointment in two weeks time. At least then I only have to ask the GP to sign me off for the remainder. I can't apply for jobs while on sick leave because I assume the doctor I work for will not want to give me a good reference if I am still on sick leave. We had a pretty good working relationship and I was very efficient and he was aware of the problems as his previous secretary left for the same reason, but ultimately he will feel let down if I do not return.

[toby99]

Occupational Health could be very supportive and help you unti you are better and able to make the correct decision for you as at the moment all you can think about is getting away from it all. I agree you should not go back to that department, but have you thought of the possibility that they may offer you a role in another department, afterall it is an occupational health issue? Do you work in a hospital?

[Poison-Ivy]

oh dear nightowl, i agree with Toby really tho. If there is another way.

However, if not you are perfectly entitled to give your notice as and when you you choose. It matters not that you are signed off.

Also your boss cannot give you a "bad" reference but may be asked how many days sick you have had off.

Good luck to you.

[Night Owl]

Thanks Guys. I think I will go to occy health just to give me more time. I have decided to go part-time and live on less money for a while. We are stretched at home, but at least there are two of us and my partner just says he thinks my health and happiness is more important than money at the moment. I already have two interviews so I feel that it would be better to make a clean break and give in my notice, rather than hope that the hospital can find me another department. I think I would prefer to start afresh in a different hospital. I did mention in my application forms that I had been off for a few months, but I overemphasised personal circumstances rather than the job just so they do not think I am a complete wimp. Anyway they are still planning to interview me so they cannot be that put off.

[crazygirly]

Hi Night Owl

Im in the same position as you, same job, off on sick leave for the same. Im into my 4th week off work on sick.

[Rosie50]

Hi
I hope you are getting sorted.
I wonder if anyone can help me.
I had recently been signed off with depression for 6 weeks but it was all work related. Workload had doubled at least and have a very unsupportive and bullying manager. I have tried to tackle this with his line manager but they are blinkered and won't hear a bad word said about him. I can't go to HR as I am in HR! I am a hard worker and been there 3 years and my job role now has grown so much it dies not much the job description. I have had a Occ Health and reluctantly returned to work on reduced hours. This is my second week and nothing has changed, my manager has made me feel guilty for being off and said we are all behind. My work has just been pushed around different desks and made its way back to me. I have ended each day in tears with anxiety symptons and have come in and gone straight ti bed exhausted at 2pm!! Last Friday was quite bad and I had 3 people giving me work back I panicked and burst into tears. My manager then took me in the offhce and said he had no idea how to deal with me and I was making people feel uncomfortable which made me feel even worse. My husband told me not to go back and that we would manage but I had a think about it at the weekend and thought I would give it another this week. Monday morning I was called in the office by my managers manager and told that I had made him feel uncomfortable and that they could not walk on egg shells around which has made me feel so bad I am right back where I was 6 weeks ago crying can't sleep feel guilty and useless. They have not followed the Occ Health report but it's just not worth arguing about. I am back to the doctor this week and my husband wants me to come with and ask to be signed off. Can I give my notice in whilst being signed off as I don't think I want to go back in there again. I am 50 worked all my life and always done well and had great work relationships so this is a horrible and distressing situation. I will need to get myself something else and believe that I can. My worry would be I still have enough sick leave to cover my notice but could they say they are not going to pay. If I was to go back to work after my giving my notice my life would be hell for the next month
Look forward to any advice.

[Rosie50]

I had recently been signed off with depression for 6 weeks but it was all work related. Workload had doubled at least and have a very unsupportive and bullying manager. I have tried to tackle this with his line manager but they are blinkered and won't hear a bad word said about him. I can't go to HR as I am in HR! I am a hard worker and been there 3 years and my job role now has grown so much it dies not much the job description. I have had a Occ Health and reluctantly returned to work on reduced hours. This is my second week and nothing has changed, my manager has made me feel guilty for being off and said we are all behind. My work has just been pushed around different desks and made its way back to me. I have ended each day in tears with anxiety symptons and have come in and gone straight ti bed exhausted at 2pm!! Last Friday was quite bad and I had 3 people giving me work back I panicked and burst into tears. My manager then took me in the offhce and said he had no idea how to deal with me and I was making people feel uncomfortable which made me feel even worse. My husband told me not to go back and that we would manage but I had a think about it at the weekend and thought I would give it another this week. Monday morning I was called in the office by my managers manager and told that I had made him feel uncomfortable and that they could not walk on egg shells around which has made me feel so bad I am right back where I was 6 weeks ago crying can't sleep feel guilty and useless. They have not followed the Occ Health report but it's just not worth arguing about. I am back to the doctor this week and my husband wants me to come with and ask to be signed off. Can I give my notice in whilst being signed off as I don't think I want to go back in there again. I am 50 worked all my life and always done well and had great work relationships so this is a horrible and distressing situation. I will need to get myself something else and believe that I can. My worry would be I still have enough sick leave to cover my notice but could they say they are not going to pay. If I was to go back to work after my giving my notice my life would be hell for the next month