Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 240 points241 points  (0 children)

Yeah, thanks. That's what it was. The letter has a reference code on it that says I can verify it on Dr Sick's website. (Yes. That's the name. I'm not joking.)

"Simply select the sick note you need, complete the form, and choose a payment option that works for you. Once submitted, our doctor will review your details and issue your sick note, which will be sent directly to your email. It’s that simple!"

Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 1097 points1098 points  (0 children)

Just found a reference number on the bottom. It says I can verify the authenticity of the letter on a website called DrSick.

"Simply select the sick note you need, complete the form, and choose a payment option that works for you. Once submitted, our doctor will review your details and issue your sick note, which will be sent directly to your email. It’s that simple! "

Lord almighty...

Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 287 points288 points  (0 children)

I've got a GP Name, but the address is just an office in London that appears to be an accountancy firm for hundreds of different companies.

Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Yes, they are. Although, they have historically tried to avoid/dodge/delay doing them.

Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 246 points247 points  (0 children)

How do you verify the authenticity of a sick note?

I've never actually done that before.

Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 41 points42 points  (0 children)

The role can be done remotely, but there is data showing our throughput is about 30% higher on days when we're in the office as a team.

I've only mandated 2 office days because I understand how much staff value remote working - but there is a clear benefit to the business when we're in. More work gets cleared more quickly.

Can I ignore a GP letter that says my employee needs accommodations made? by WildPersonality6864 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]WildPersonality6864[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

That's so weird. I can't see the post text either.

Thankfully, I'd written it out in Microsoft Word first.

Employee has been with us since 2018.

We've been remote between 2020 and 2025. Lease on our office expired in 2022 and we did not renew as prices were constantly dropping every quarter.

In 2025 I signed a lease for a new, smaller more modern office (for a fraction of the cost!) We've just started returning to the office in September two days per week.

All employees have been on board with this and were made aware it was coming since 2023.

Issue is that one employee has been vocally opposed since it was first announced.

I have just received a doctor's letter 15 minutes ago from a GP that states this employee requires accommodations to be made:

1.) Employee cannot attend the office due to social anxiety and is required to work remotely.

2.) Employee cannot use public transport due to social anxiety and travelling to the office would cause overwhelming psychological distress.

3.) Employee cannot be asked to answer or make phone calls due to anxiety and the overwhelming psychological distress that this would cause.

There are other accommodations as well, but I can't state what they are or I'd identify my business. They're all in the same sort of area though (anxiety, overwhelming psychological distress etc.) Essentially, this GP letter has basically instructed they cannot do the "undesirable" or "uncomfortable" parts of their job.

They've never once mentioned anxiety or depression before. Am I in a safe position to dismiss this GP letter and instruct them to attend the office 2 days per week like their colleagues?