Medical retirement

Apolonation

blckbrd wrote: »

If it were 'qualified medical opinion' you sought, why post on here? Anihilator may be extremely provocative but there's often sense in what he/she says.

You have missed the point of the rhetoric. OP was obviously not originally seeking a qualified medical opinion. He was making the point that unless a person is medically qualified they should really not make judgements regarding potentially complex health conditions.

It's a sad story this thread. I hope your friend finds the support he needs and manages to balance his life and work.

Te_Awamutu

I'm not sure exactly what your friend does, but you mentioned 'Government' in an earlier post. I can tell you a bit about medical retirement in Local Government. There are a lot of different critera, but basically it comes down to two main points:
1) That the employee can no longer do their job
2) That the employee will not recover enough to work before they reach normal pensionable age.

Unfortunately for your friend, he is unlikely to meet either of these requirements. You have already said that he can still do his job, so would fail on point one. It is also highly unlikely that they would medically retire someone at 29 with a knee problem, as the advancement of medical science before he reaches 65 could mean that a treatment is found.

His best bet would be to focus on the fact he has a disability and ask for 'Reasonable Adjustments' under the DDA. This might include moving him to an office closer to home (but would only happen if there is a suitable job to move him into). As a previous poster mentioned, contact 'Access to Work' through your local Job Centre Plus - they will be able to give much better advice on Reasonable Adjustments and may be able to pay if there are costs involved (eg getting a taxi to work).

You also need to prepare your friend for the fact that his employers may try to end his contract due to his high level of sickness absence. They are legally allowed to do this, but should give him notice pay if his contract is terminated.

firesidemaid

i had a friend who was given money for taxis to get to and from work so that he could work - they actually said that they were glad that someone was benefitting from this money as so few people they came accross were actually trying to go to/stay in work.