Reason for Sick Leave:is your employer ENTITLED to know exactly what was wrong with u

[ClubMan]

Re: Reason for Sick Leave

Why would you think that the issuing of certs with misleading details is relatively isolated?

Maybe it's not. I don't know. Personally I don't really care about the accuracy of HSA statistics. I would imagine that I am not alone. That's all that I have to say on this matter.

 

[RainyDay]

Re: Reason for Sick Leave: s your employer ENTITLED to know exactly what was wrong wi

At the macro level, I can see there is an issue over whether an employer needs to know the reasons for sick leave. Would anyone like to refer this issue to the Data Protection Commissioner to see if it would pass their 'need to know' test? Perhaps any HR people could advise as to whether an employer ever takes action on these reasons stated on the sick note. So if a sick note states that there was a back injury, should an employer be reassigning a warehouse worker to light duties? If a sick note states stress, should an office worker be reassigned to a less stressful environment?

I'm also wondering if a doctor's lies could come back to haunt them? If an employee was to make a compo claim regarding a back injury, could a doctor be deemed liable if he had failed to notify the employer accurately of a previous back injury? Similarly, if there was a claim for job-related stress, could the doctor be liable for failing to notify the employer?

I know I was off for a week due to stress (a lot going on at the time). I was having panic attacks etc but the doctor put down "viral infection" as I requested. My employers would not have been sympathetic about me beingoff for a week due to things that were happening in my personal life.

I don't see anything wrong with that.

The question is were you off work due to mental health issues (stress and panic attacks) or due to personal issues which needed organising. If (as I assume) the former is correct, than you were fully entitled to your week off. If the latter, than perhaps you should have taken urgent annual leave.

I wonder if the apparent avoidance of stating mental health issues on sick notes and inaccuracy of HSA statistics contributes to the [broken link removed]?