Think it’s swine flu? Just sign yourself off
Thursday 9th July 2009, 2:30PM BST.
ISLANDERS who think they have swine flu can sign themselves off work.
Patients with flu-like symptoms are being told to take at least four days off.
Social Security has produced forms, available online or from the department, that are the equivalent of a doctor’s note and allow a person to sign themself off for between four and seven days.
This development comes as health authorities on the island increase the alert level from containment to treatment of the illness, reflecting a sustained outbreak in the island.
Public health director Dr Stephen Bridgman said most of the island’s cases were mild and people had recovered within a week.
‘There has been this soap opera tracking this pandemic but the majority of people here are not going to get very sick. Hyping things up can make things very difficult,’ said Dr Bridgman.
He hoped people would be honest about using the forms.
‘There will always be a few, but we feel this is a sensible measure.’
There has been an increase in the number of people with flu-like symptoms being seen by doctors – more than 100 cases in the past week, compared with 20 two weeks ago.
- For more information, go to www.gov.gg or the UK Health Protection Agency’s site, www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
Not sure what all the fuss on Self Cert. is about. It’s been like that in the UK for well over 10 years.
Report abuse
Nobby is 100% correct. Another Guernsey Press story about nothing.
Report abuse
What a great idea, the working community of Guernsey will next week be at a standstill as all employees will have swine flu, shops closed, offices closed etc., etc. Might as well put up Closed Signs at the Airport & Ferry Port. Sensible idea, I do not think so.
Report abuse
Why don’t we all just sign ourselves off work and hide inside forever this world is a dangerous place! We should have have lollipop ladies to make sure we can all cross the road safely as well. Any other amazing ideas?
Report abuse
Am I being a cynic. Swine flu only takes the headlines when government has lots to hide. And the British government has a lot to hide. Normal flu in the winter is far more dangerous but then what do us peasants know!
Report abuse
This pathetic plan stinks and I bet Giba & Chamber of Commerce are behind its conception and have ordered our Health Minister to put the plan in action……
Report abuse
My daughter was tested for swine flu nearly 2 weeks ago. She was signed off by her doctor until Mon 13th July. She has been told by her employer that her services are no longer required as they “can’t be mucked about like this” So much for sick notes!
Report abuse
Yes nobby and Andrew and you are telling me it isnt abused i think not! what world are you living in.
Report abuse
dr bridgman should ask the familys of the 43 people in intensive care in england if they think swine flu is a soap opera.i dont believe anything this guy says ,he told us that we didn’t need to have full vaccination like jersey,and that tamiflu was very affective,now he is saying tamiflu isn’t that great.we still have to wait and see how bad this will be in the autumn,and if it gets more serious what has he got to other us as i cant see he has any intention at the moment in changing to a vaccination policy.
Report abuse
Self certification – what a bad decision!!
Should not be allowed in Guernsey, unlike the UK where it is abused.
As far as my staff is concerned, our conditions of employemet state we want a doctors note, and that is what we still expect.
Report abuse
I’m not entirely sure why people are getting their knickers in a twist over this. Many employers have de facto self certification within their employment contracts. See the following piece of your employment contracts:
“You are required to produce a medical certificate in the event of absence through injury or ill-health for three or more consecutive days.”
If you are a responsible employer, with responsible staff, I really see no issue with this.
If, and it’s a big if, that this swine-flu turns into some sort 28-Days-Later type epidemic, then forcing staff to pay the doctor’s bill for the pink slip seems a bit churlish.
Report abuse
I am not sure that SS has the power to amend the terms and conditions of employment of private businesses. Employees will still need to abide by their employer’s procedures or face the consequences.
Report abuse
MY BOSS TOLD US ANYONE WHO GOES OFF SICK, HE WILL COME AROUND TO OUR HOUSE AND CHECK US,
VERY SAD PERSON
Report abuse
i was tested on the 30th of june for swine flu, and have been told every day since that my results have yet to come back and was told to stay off work till i was given the all clear. its now 11th july and i still have no results and have been well since last week, i onlt took 2 days off work, i ignored the doctors and went back to work as staying off when i am feeling better is pointless. i wasnt given tamiflu just in case, i wasnt given anything! i was told to wait. i called the doctors again on thursday and she didnt even ask my address to confirm who i was, then said the doctor is checking my results, then she said he’s waiting for your blood test results so i said to her i’v not had any blood tests, her reply was oh well i dont know what i’m looking at then, and said just wait for your results. we’re phone u when they are in! i havent heard back from the doctors and i’m disgusted because not only do i suffer from asthma but havent been told what was wrong with me.
Report abuse
Pity about the weather, what a missed chance for a couple of days in the sun.
Report abuse
Hey Wobbler – dosen’t that say something about the quality of staff at your place of work if the boss feels he/she needs to check up on you? Seems to me that if people want to keep their jobs in this difficult climate they should get a Doctors note anyway, so that those employers who try to do a “hotelier trick” i.e. sack the people before the end of season so that they dont pay a bonus, can be taken before a tribunal if the are asked to leave without a good enough reason. Incidently Mrs Inder, has your daughter looked into the legalities of what her employer has done? Sounds a bit fishy, unless the employer is paying in cash of course…….
Report abuse
I’m a Guern living in London and I reckon that Dr Bridgman’s done exactly the right thing. Literally thousands of people a week are getting flu here, and since the death of a healthy 6-year old this week, worries are spreading that the virus may become more deadly.
I’m thinking of coming back to Guernsey to hide! It’s sensible to request that nobody who could have the flu goes into work and gives it to everybody else.
Report abuse
I know swine flu is certainly nothing to joke about and it can be very serious, but have you noticed now staff are allowed to self certify, the hypocodriacs in the workplace are having a field day, every employer has them, you could put your mortgage on the ones who you know will be off with swine flu first- yes the ones who are into double figures sick leave for the year!!!
Report abuse