Can I Take Sick Leave During My Civil Service Notice Period?

Hello,

I have decided to resign from my Civil Service role because the situation at work has had a serious effect on my mental health.

I expect to give the notice required by my contract, but I do not think I can continue attending the workplace for the whole notice period. I am considering speaking to my GP and may need to be signed off sick.

Can I take sickness absence after submitting my resignation, or could the department treat that as refusing to work my notice? I am also worried about whether I would receive normal pay, whether annual leave would still be paid and what might be written in my reference.

What should I do before sending the resignation?

Quick Answer

You can be genuinely unwell during a notice period and the normal sickness reporting and certification rules still apply. Pay, annual leave and the practical handling of the notice depend on your contract, departmental policy and the length and reason for the absence, so check those points before assuming the whole period will be paid normally.

Read our Leaving Your Civil Service Role guide before fixing your resignation date, notice arrangements and final-pay expectations.

Need help with your own situation? Visit Get Tailored Advice or browse more questions in Advice.

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Continue reading to see how I would separate the health issue from the resignation decision, protect the sickness record and confirm pay and leave before the final date.

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