My Manager Insists On Knowing What Was Wrong With Me When I Take Time Off Sick. Can She Make Me Tell Her?

When doctors issue a certificate stating you are unfit for work they have to state a basis for their judgement. Usually this will be a brief description of your illness, for example 'work-related stress' or 'fractured tibia'. They are often very tactful in what they write because they understand that some people are afraid that personal information may form the basis of discrimination or become the source of gossip at work. When you are self-certificating you are required to provide a reason for your absence. In the case of frequent short absences or longer term illness your employer can also request a medical report from your GP which you are entitled to see. This may seem intrusive but employers have a right to make sure you can still do the job and they also have responsibility for your health and safety at work which can be compromised by certain types of illness.

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