If you’re an employee who is off work for a long time, it can be very frustrating. Not least because you might be pulling your hair out looking for things to keep you busy, but you might also be worrying about what your manager will be thinking about how long you’re off sick.

Let’s face it, everyone gets sick and that’s just a fact of life. But as an employee you need to show your boss that you’re doing everything you can to get healthy and back to work.

For many employers, the main thing is that you’re both upfront and honest. Your boss will understand that you sometimes need to recover and by trying to go to work if you’re poorly, it can often make your illness worse and lead you to taking more time off than needs be. Remember – if you’ve managed to catch a cold then your boss probably doesn’t want it spreading round the office either!

When you’re expected to be off work for quite a while, it may be best to get yourself a doctor’s note. By doing this you’re reassuring your boss that you’re seeking the correct medical help and are also letting them know when you expect to return to work.

Did you know?

Sick days cost the UK economy a lot of money each year, with the Office for National Statistics estimating that around 131 million days are lost due to absence. With this in mind, you may be wondering whether your job is at risk if you’re off work for too long. Here are a few key points you may need to remember:

• Your employer will only use dismissal if they feel they have no other options.
• Employers will always look to help you out if you are in need of it.
• Companies do understand that people get ill – it happens!
• If you can prove to your boss you’re doing all you can to get back to work then you may score some valuable brownie points.
• In rare situations employers may release you from your contract (particularly if it’s a short term contract or you’re on probation) and while it’s something to bear in mind, you shouldn’t worry unnecessarily about it.

If you are worried about sick pay, it’s important to remember that Statutory Sick Pay is paid according to how many days you roughly have accumulated in a working week. Or your employer may choose to pay you your normal rate, depending on your contract and terms and conditions.

Remember – a clean workforce is also a happy one, so make sure you do all you can to prevent yourself from catching any unwanted germs! And if you’d like any more information, please contact us.