occupational health scheme at work

manda74

Was just wondering if anybody knows anyhting about occupational sick pay schemes in the workplace. I work for on a leading supermarket and have been off sick for 10 weeks with a chronic back problem. I`ve been seen by a consultant in Rheumatology who has done further tests including xrays, i`m waiting to have an MRI scan and physiotherapy.

I saw the occupational health person employed by my workplace in October 08, only 11 days after going off sick with back problems, not seen her since but my people manager has received a report from her just before new year saying i should be well enough to return to work. I work on a jewellery counter which i agree isn`t strenuous work but does involve me standing for 7 hours a day and continuously having to bend down to get stock from drawers at foot level. My doctor doesn`t agree I am fit for work as i can barely walk and definately can`t bend down!!

I have received a letter from the people manager at work basically saying if i`m not signed back to work by my doctor my contract of employment will be terminated.

Can this be right???? I`m currently getting ssp i`m worried this is going to stop and obviously about losing my job. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Liz_the_Whizz

Hi Manda74,

It may seem harsh but an employer can dismiss someone if they are unfit for work.

Attitudes and timescales vary between employers, but are often geared to occupational sick pay schemes which usually pay full/half pay for a specified period and are often service related - the longer you have been employed, the longer you get full sick pay.

Most employers will be looking to resolve cases of long-term illness (capability) by the time occupational sick pay runs out.

You could ask HR/Occupational Health about a phased return (ie reduced hours for an initial period) but it all depends - if you are a long way from being fit to return to work, then this is unlikely to help.

You could also ask about a temporary change of duties - when I worked in retail, staff with health problems could sometimes switch to office work for a period. But it all depends on what is available.

I would also go back to your doctor to see if there is anything else that can be done and to get advice about an earlier return on whatever basis, just anything you can go back to your employer with to show willing. But what you must not do is jeopardise your long-term well-being by risking an early return in a desperate attempt to save your job.

Even if the worst happens, you could ask your employer to look sympathetically on re-employing you as your health improves.

Hope it works out, take care.

SomeBozo

You can sack someone if they are incapable of doing the job they are paid to do. If you are required to stand all day and you can't do that, then yes, you can be sacked.

There is a process to follow and it sounds like you are on the first steps of it.

bozo