Change To A Sick Line

[april1693]

If a gp changes or amends a sick certificate, should he initial that change particularly if it's in a different coloured ink?

[factor-fiction]

It seems good practice to me for the doctor to do so, but I think it depends on the employer's view. What detail has changed?

[april1693]

Factor, There are two reasons listed as to why the certificate was issued but the second is in a different colour, raising suspicions that the individual named on the cert may have amended it themselves.

[rsvp]

can the note be taken back to the Doctor's to have it authenticated?

[sara3]

I don't know the answer but you're right to be suspicious. the sick cert is called a med3, if anyone can find the answer with that.

[factor-fiction]

Are you the employer or the person covered by the sick note?

[DJHawkes]

why would it be changed or amended? Sounds well dodgy.

[Prudie]

I agree, surely he'd rip it up and issue a new one

[april1693]

My husband is the employer Factor and I think we will contact the named GP as it does look extremely suspicious. This guy has been a right pain (pardon the pun) since coming to us, any excuse and he runs to the doctor - who appears to give out sick lines like they're going out of style!

[april1693]

Thank you all folks for reassuring me, I thought maybe I was being paranoid but you've made me realise I'm not.

[excelsior-1]

i would have thought that it was mandatory for a doctor to initial any change

[DJHawkes]

you will not be able to glean any info from the doctor as he/she will be prevented from revealing anything, also, fake sicknotes (fitnotes) are available online you know

[DJHawkes]

unless the employee is in reciept of state benefit for his sickness absence, if it is a fake note he keeps handing in you would never realise

[april1693]

I know he won't be able to discuss anything, but I think he'd be interested to know that this guy could be fooling us both.

[DJHawkes]

well be very very careful how you word your concerns! I know you will be, but it's a minefield. Do you have any absence policy in place for sickness management? If he has had more than 3 periods of sickness in a rolling 6 months do you not then go to sickness counselling?

[april1693]

DJ thank you for the wise words. He's only had 2 episodes of sickness but both have lasted 4 weeks, however he's only been with us for 4 months! We have reason to believe that he is pushing us to sack him, then he can try for a tribunal etc. I will be very careful when it comes to the GP. x

[sara3]

you could ring the NHS fraud peeps.. thing is, what will you do with the employee?

https://www.reportnhsfraud.nhs.uk/

[daffy654]

If he has only been with you for 4 months he cannot take you to a tribunal if you sack him.

[DJHawkes]

no you can terminate his employment at any time with no notice as far as i am aware

[april1693]

Thank you guys! Will pass on all your info to my OH and we'll probably "let him go". My husband only set up on his own about 18 months ago and we took this man on in good faith. We'll know better next time!