7 Common Reasons People Get Doctor Certificates
Waking up with a throbbing headache that seems to get worse with every movement, a nasty cold that leaves you sneezing and blowing your nose every few minutes and with a muddled head, or a backache that leaves you hunched over in pain may all tempt you to take a day off from work to recuperate. But what do you do about that rule of your workplace that requires you to submit a medical certificate even if you’re taking a single day off work?
While most workplaces only ask to see a medical certificate if you’re taking more than two days off work due to an illness, some may ask for one for as little as half a day off. You don’t want to be spending your sick day off chasing a medical certificate! After all, we all know how time-consuming doctor’s appointments can be!
Luckily, online doctors are now able to provide online medical certificates in Australia, which take the stress out of booking an appointment and waiting in doctor’s clinics just to get a certificate confirming your illness. By simply logging on to an app or the provider’s website and selecting the type of certificate you require, you can get a quick medical certificate in minutes.
Here are some of the most common reasons people get doctor certificates:
1. Contagious illness
The common cold, flu, viral gastroenteritis (also known as the stomach flu or bug), conjunctivitis, COVID-19, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), Measles, Shingles and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) are just some of the contagious diseases you may contract from the workplace. Contagious illnesses are the top reason why people take sick leave. No employer would want their entire workforce to fall sick by denying someone with an infectious disease their sick leave. It is a safe bet that if you come down with any contagious illness, you can safely ask your doctor to write you a medical certificate or opt for an online medical certificate without fear of rejection.
2. Back Pain
About 16% of the Australian population suffers from some degree of back pain. Many people suffer from back pain severe enough to affect daily living. Long hours of sitting at the office can make existing back pain worse, which can often flare up enough to warrant taking a few days off work. This is why back pain is one of the most common reasons for missing work and something you can easily get a doctor’s certificate for.
3. Stomach bugs or food poisoning
You wouldn’t want to be around people at the office when you’re vomiting or having diarrhea every half hour, would you? Although the symptoms of both food poisoning and stomach bugs are similar, stomach bugs are highly contagious and can easily spread from one person to another in close quarters like an open plan office. Moreover, stomach bugs and food poisoning can leave you feeling weak and fatigued due to the amount of fluids leaving your body, making it difficult to concentrate and get any work done. This is why stomach bugs and food poisoning are two of the most common reasons people get medical certificates for sick leave.
4. Migraines
Considered to be the number one disability in Australia, regular migraines affect over 6.4 million people in Australia, a majority of which are working women. Migraines can be especially debilitating, the symptoms ranging from mild headaches to nausea, temporary blindness, ringing in the ears and even loss of speech. It can be very difficult to sit in front of a computer and work when you have a migraine attack since lights and sounds typically make migraines worse.
5. Injuries
Workplace or other injuries are one of the most common reasons why people get medical certificates for sick leave. There’s no way you’ll be able to drive a forklift with a broken hand or sit at an office desk for hours with an injured coccyx. Most workplaces consider any illness or injury that negatively impacts your productivity for a prolonged period to be an adequate cause for taking time off work, and an injury tops this list. You may need to get a fit-for-work clearance certificate from a doctor to be able to resume work if your injury directly impacts your ability to work. Unfortunately, fit-for-work certificates are not something online doctors can help with, as these require a physical assessment to be issued.
6. Medical appointments
Many organisations allow employees to use their sick leave to attend medical appointments, including non-emergency appointments planned in advance. This allows employees to stay on top of their health while minimising the likelihood of losing income when prioritising their health.
7. Stress or poor mental health
Although employees hesitate to reveal that the reason behind a sick day off is poor mental health or too much stress, it is still one of the most common reasons people take time off work. Burnout and stress can negatively impact your productivity and ability to do your job, but many employers may not consider it an adequate reason to miss work. If you’re suffering from poor mental health, stress or burnout, consider asking your doctor not to include the reason for your sick leave in your online medical certificate.
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