Lesson 8.9 — Mock 9: Sick Note Request With Workplace Bullying
Candidate Page
A patient with stress symptoms asks for a long fit note. Explore the problem and agree a plan.
Consult naturally. Do not try to force every communication skill into the case. Identify the patient’s agenda and use it to shape the consultation.
Role-Player Brief
You want three months off because your manager humiliates you in meetings. You have not told HR and feel trapped.
If the candidate explores well
- If asked what time off would achieve, say you need space to sleep and think.
- If options are discussed collaboratively, consider a shorter period with review.
If the candidate misses the cue
- If candidate debates duration immediately, become defensive.
- If work context is ignored, repeat “I can’t go back there.”
- Explore function and work context.
- Understand the expectation before negotiating.
- Avoid turning the case into a transaction.
- Agree review and realistic next steps.
The fit note is the visible request; the RTO task is discovering the problem underneath it.
| Reflection | Yes / Partly / No | Evidence from the consultation |
|---|---|---|
| I found the real agenda. | ||
| I responded to the key cue. | ||
| My explanation used patient-specific information. | ||
| The plan was shared and clinically owned. | ||
| My safety-net was specific. | ||
| I sounded natural rather than scripted. |