Fraudulently Obtained Sick Pay Recovered

In 2020, one of our NHS Trusts took on a new starter. They attended work as expected for a few days, and then reported themselves as sick. They provided fit notes which indicated they were not well enough to work. After two months of sickness absence, they returned and completed a four week phased return. At the end of the phased return, they handed their notice in and left the Trust.

Information received gave cause for the Counter Fraud Team to review the person’s work history. Enquiries revealed that whilst on their two month's sickness absence from the Yorkshire-based Trust, the person was working full time in the same job role at another NHS Trust. When they completed their phased return in Yorkshire, they were then signed off sick from their other full time post.

As a result of their conduct, they had managed to obtain two full-time wages for a period of 3 months. Neither employer was aware that this individual held a full-time contract of employment elsewhere.

The subject was interviewed under caution and admitted to the offence of Fraud by False Representation. A police caution was issued, and the individual was obliged to repay both employers the sick pay that they had dishonestly claimed.

The Yorkshire NHS Trust has now been reimbursed, and the caution will show on the subjects DBS checks for the next 6 years.

This case illustrates the importance of staff being aware of their responsibilities in relation to secondary employment, and speaking up if something doesn't seem right.

For further information, please watch our 5 minute video about secondary employment and working whilst sick on Vimeo.

Other useful articles can be found in our Counter Fraud Newsletters on the Publications page