Work demanding 'medical'

azjh77

This year I have had 3 incidents of 'illness' In Mid August I got rushed to hospital after an asthma attack and was off for 5 weeks. I went back to work..but the week after was bad again and ended up having another 4 weeks off. Last week I was ill and had 2 days off - the cold weather is setting my chest off - and have now be told I have to consent to work getting a medical report as my Asthma is affecting (effecting?) my work. Has anyone else had a similar thing happen to them? Can I be sacked for being ill? There are people who have had plenty more time off than me..one girl had 13 weeks of earlier in the year and is currently off now (4 weeks) with 'stress'. At least I know my medical report will show I have something wrong with me, and I need medication. Should I be worried?

pinkshoes

Yes, I had to have a medical after 5 kidney infections (3 days off each time) in a period of 12 months.

It resulted in seeing a consultant, and eventually an operation (on BUPA!) which sorted the problem out.

No, they can't sack you just like that, but after 3 periods of illness I think they're entitled to ask you to have a medical, so they can find out if there's anything that can be done to help you.

dmg24

At least I know my medical report will show I have something wrong with me, and I need medication.

I am sure that your colleague's report said the same. :rolleyes:

I agree with pinkshoes, it is quite standard for companies to instigate a sickness management procedure after a number of absences, and this can including requesting medical reports. This procedure may lead to the disciplinary process also being instigated, but this will be down to the individual company.

DepressedMunkie

I had a medical with the company recently and although the doctor was a lot harsher than my own GP he couldn't contradict the fact that I was ill. They'll probably interrogate you a bit but I wouldn't worry about it, unless you have something to hide.

Paparika

Before i started my job i made sure they knew i had an ongoing illness.

It's on record and if i am I'll ( i still try to get to work so quite rare if i do take time off) they know it's illness related and doesn't go against me.

Before you started work did you tell them you had asthma?

SomeBozo

told I have to consent to work getting a medical report as my Asthma is affecting (effecting?) my work

All sounds fair enough. Its in the interest of the employer and employee to ensure employees are fit and healthy and can get into to work and do the job they are paid for.

Can I be sacked for being ill?

You can't be sacked for being ill, but you can be sacked for not doing the job duties you are employed for. There is a process to follow (warnings etc).

There are people who have had plenty more time off than me..one girl

Concentrate on your own circumstances, there maybe reasons you dont know about or circumstances/agreements you know nothing about.

Bozo

azjh77

"I am sure that your colleague's report said the same."

Wasn't till I read it back I realised how that looked! Didn't mean it like that! I meant that although I have been off I have been ill, so they can't claim I have been bunking.

azjh77

I didn't have asthma to the extant that I have now so it wasnot a problem when I started the job. Two years ago I was in hospital for a week too. But that is it. In our place they have FAM - not sure what it stands for..but after 4 instances of sickness you 'go on FAM' which means if you have anymore sickness you will have a letter put on your file. I know a few of the people in the office are on it and don't seem too bothered so I imagine I can't be sacked straight off. My Asthma nurse has suggested I give my job up, but as I am not ill enough to be 'disabled' I need the job to pay the bills. If the nurse has wrote this on my records would that go against me?

My mentioning someone else was just in indicate that I am not that only person who has an illness effecting their work.

brightonman123

may need to make it official, in case insurance / legal claims follow..

also, if something work based is causing it, they will need to check / protect other staff in the workplace, as well?

CFC

If you are working against medical advice, that will come out in the medical report. That's not a good situation and no employer will accept that situation. It puts them at too much risk.