Sick Certs to care for ill mother

Filan · 20-10-2006 12:03pm #1

My doctor has just written me Cert entitling me to rmain off work for aa second week to look after my ill mother. I assume that my employer must accept this? Alan

Kimbot · 20-10-2006 12:07pm

Are YOU genuinely sick??
Why does the cert say is wrong with you??

seamus · 20-10-2006 12:26pm

No, your employer is not required to accept a sick cert.

Time off to care for a sick relative is known as force majeur. This is fully-paid leave, which you are legally entitled to.

However, you may only take 3 days of such leave in any 12 month period (or 5 days over 3 years). The rationale is that if any family member is seriously ill, these days should be used for caring for them, and finding somewhere for them to go to receive the care. Then you return to work.

Filan · 20-10-2006 12:44pm

The Company are aware of the situation and had no difficulties this week. Anyway my father left her and she is genuinely unwell..in need of help....was in hospital with a heart condition. These are the really important things in life to me. If need be I'll leave.

TempestSabre · 20-10-2006 12:49pm

Some companies have "compassionate leave" at the discretion of the manager. So perhaps have a chat with them.

seamus · 20-10-2006 12:57pm

Filan wrote:

These are the really important things in life to me. If need be I'll leave.

Of course. As said, it's something you should really discuss with your company if it's going to be an ongoing thing. Very few companies would be completely heartless - maybe you could switch to a part-time contract and get a part-time carer to cover you for the rest of the time, for example.

Your employer are not legally obliged to accept a sick cert or allow essentially unlimited sick leave. From a cold perspective, they can dismiss you for continual "sickness".

RainyDay · 22-10-2006 4:50pm

Just curious - What did the doc state as the cause of absence on the sick cert?

TempestSabre · 22-10-2006 5:56pm

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/employment/holidays_and_leave/force_majeure.html

On reflection, and this is just my opinion. A cert is probably not strickly meant to be used for this type of leave. Compassionate leave, or Force Majeur would be most appropriate. Purely from a practical point of view you are using up your certified sick leave entitlement and this might (as others suggested) be a problem later down the line. Though obviously force majeur is only 3-5 days of paid leave. Compassionate and sick leave (certified or not) may or maynot be paid in your company.

That said sometimes you have to do things to suit yourself. Hope it all works out anyway. Sometimes lifes just hard.

Sick Certs to care for ill mother

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