When you are unwell and cannot attend work, you might be worried about how you will manage on less money, how and when you will be able to return to work, and what support you may be able to get for a long-term condition or disability.

Our advice can help you.

Your sick pay entitlements will be in your employment contract.  

Our comprehensive sickness advice guide will help you understand what your entitlements should be, together with what both you and your employer should do while you are off sick, and when you may need to contact us.

If you don't receive contractual sick pay, find out about statutory sick pay (SSP) at gov.uk

If you work in the NHS, read section 14 of the NHS terms and conditions. 

If you are an agency worker or self-employed, see our information on the financial support that may be available if you are off sick.

See our financial wellbeing resources if you need practical help with managing your finances, benefits or tax credits while off sick.

Our peer support service has information about working with a long-term condition, the reasonable adjustments that may be required and also shares some member experiences.

Having a Health Ability passport can be a huge help when having discussions with your employer about support for your condition.

If you are rethinking your career due to a long-term illness or disability, see our guidance on managing your career around ill health or disability.

If you have Long COVID, see our Long COVID toolkit. You can also join the Long COVID peer support group.

If you are on sick leave due to work-related stress, it is important your employer knows the reason why and that this is documented in your fit note. 

Your employer has a duty of care. They should do everything reasonable to protect your health, safety and wellbeing.

See what to do if your stress is due to unsustainable pressures at work.

Out Stress and you toolkit has lots of information on the signs and symptoms of stress and how to manage them. See also our short guide on coping with stress.

Remember that our Counselling service can help you deal with stress brought on by difficulties at work.

If you have a long-term condition that is classed as a disability, find out more about how the law may protect you from discrimination.

Having a Health Ability passport can be a huge help when having discussions with your employer about support for your disability.

We have some useful guidance on managing your career around ill health or disability. The RCN Peer Support Service also offers members advice and coaching to assist with disability related issues that impact upon your ability to remain in, or return to, nursing. 

If you have been disabled due to an injury at work, find out more about Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.