Doctors note after 7 days?

[Johnnyhobbit]

Hi all this is my first post as only joined this morning . I tested positive for civid last Thursday before work so have been at home ever since ,it's now Tuesday and am still very unwell and still testing positive. Do I need to get a doctor's note to extend because my 7 day self certificate will be up tomorrow and I would need to go back to work thursday, I cannot see me being back on Thurs because A) I need 2 negative tests on consecutive days and B) still unwell. Or do the government guidelines cover me past 7 days , this whole situation is causing a lot of stress not helped by management continuously hassling me on a daily basis to get back to work.the royal mail stance on this is vague at best, any help would be appreciated

[Dorset Plodder]

Welcome to RMC. Phone your Doctor. Explain the situation and ask for a Fit Note as your 7 day self certification period is about to expire.

The key point is that you are still suffering from Flu Like sympthoms and you do not feel able to do your job properly. RM Managers are arguing the case that RM doesn't recognise "Covid" anymore BUT if you're ill then you're simply ill. Fair enough you are ill so you need a Fit Note.

Their argument that if you're Positive Covid BUT not suffering any sypthoms then you're OK to come to work makes no sense at all. They're just pushing to get as many staff in as possible because they've not recruited enough staff to do the job.
However you are Covid Positive and you are suffering Flu Like sypthoms so you're ill and should get a Fit Note.

Phone you're DOM when you eventually wake up (I know Covid knocks you out) and tell him you'll be posting him a Fit Note to cover your abscence, Before you post it take a copy .. Just in case it "gets lost" On the point of being hassled daily: Depending on how unpopular you want to make yourself with your DOM you could tell him that you consider being hassled daily about your Sick Abscence as a form of Harressment & Bullying. There's no requirement to contact them daily. This idea of keeping in touch regularly is more aimed at Long Term Sickness where OPGs are off for months. There's a date on your FIt Note he should be able to work it out for himself.

Don't be pressured into returning to work early. Remember it's not the ammount of days you have off sick it's the ammount of times you are off sick that effect Attendance Reviews. You don't want to return to work, find out you're still not fully fit and then have to have another week off. Good Luck Get Well Soon.

[Johnnyhobbit]

Thanks for your input, much appreciated

[Bahia Feliz]

I'm off qith covid,my 7 days is up today.I phoned my GP via 111 and got a 'fit note' till next Monday as I said i still feel unwell basically.

[iHateD2Ds]

People ,forget the bullshot about mild symptoms, if you are suffering stay at home and do not return unless you are fit to do your full duty.
Get a fit note after day 7.