No employee wants to be on long-term sick leave. No employer wants to have an employee on long-term sick leave. Obviously an employer would like to get the employee well again and back to work, but there may be a tension between what the employer wants and needs and what is best for the employee.

It works best if employer and employee are fully open with each other and work together to ensure a safe return to work as soon as is possible, but there may be times where an employee might need legal advice -

• Am I entitled to company sick pay?
• Am I entitled to Statutory Sick Pay?
• What medical reports and certificates do I need to lodge, and when?
• Is my employer entitled to contact me while I am on sick leave?
• Is my employer entitled to ask me to undergo a medical examination?
• Does my holiday entitlement continue to accrue during long-term sick leave?
• Can I treat sick leave as holiday so I do not lose my holiday entitlement?
• My sickness is as a result of a disability - what further obligations does my employer owe me in this situation?
• My employer is threatening to terminate my employment - is he entitled to do this?

Darbys' Employment Team can advise you on all of these issues and on any other questions that may arise if you are on long-term sick leave. Please contact us - free of charge - for a chat about your case and your position.

As we say, we are always there for people and families who are in our PURPLE LEGAL scheme. We invite you to join PURPLE LEGAL now. By joining PURPLE LEGAL, you can have all your legal enquiries answered free of charge by simply booking a SolicitorSlot for a time and date that suits you.  Alternatively if you wish to speak to us now, please click on "Please Contact Me Now” or call us on 0845 567 5000. We look forward to always being there for you.