Work related Stress

CraigD

Thanks for all the valuable info. Just an update I have a meeting with my companies Occupational Health next week and have been informed that they can request my medical history from my GP but only with my authorisation. My question is what is the best course of action? Should I allow them to see my records and risk being fired (I have a long history of depression) or refuse and risk being seen as hiding information?

Uncertain

CraigD wrote: »

Thanks for all the valuable info. Just an update I have a meeting with my companies Occupational Health next week and have been informed that they can request my medical history from my GP but only with my authorisation. My question is what is the best course of action? Should I allow them to see my records and risk being fired (I have a long history of depression) or refuse and risk being seen as hiding information?

This is often misunderstood.

The cannot get your medical records as such.

What they can do (but only with your permission) is to pay your doctor to write a report. You have a legal right to see the report before it is sent and to discuss any concerns with your doctor. You cannot of course tell the doctor what to write (it has to be his professional opinion) but, if you cannot agree, he has to include a statement of your views in the report.

Most GP's charge around £180 for this.

It is normally best to agree to such a request. Remember the doctor's legal duty it to his patient, not to whoever is paying the bill.

If a GP is really of the view that work is making his patient ill there is quite a lot he can do to help. As a GP once said to me, it is quite easy to make this process take three months if it helps......

Sambucus_Nigra

CraigD wrote: »

Thanks for all the valuable info. Just an update I have a meeting with my companies Occupational Health next week and have been informed that they can request my medical history from my GP but only with my authorisation. My question is what is the best course of action? Should I allow them to see my records and risk being fired (I have a long history of depression) or refuse and risk being seen as hiding information?

Right - before you do anything......the report that your doctor writes needs to be only on the topic that the company are concerned about, and you need to clarify that the doctor will only report on the issues pertaining to 'work related stress' - not on any other aspect of your history. And make sure they send it to you for approval before it gets sent to the company.

Also, I'd be trying to find out what the company are going to do with the information in this report. I mean, if you have raised the issues at work, what is knowing that you do indeed have 'work related stress' going to achieve? If they have no intention of making changes to your workload or system of works then it's pretty pointless...after all, what more than 'work related stress' written on a sick note do they need to know? Which leads me to believe that they will probably try and find out whether you are susceptible to depression and stress and thus try to shift the blame on you - which is why you need to make sure only information pertaining to 'work related stress' is in the medical report.

Have you been offered some/any back to work options at this stage?

Personally, I'd ask Occupational Health what more information are they looking for in the medical that is above and beyond 'work related stress' which was written on the sick note; and ask them what the options for returning to work are at this stage as you are keen to get back to work and are aware that the medical report can take a long time to get authorised, written and sorted.

CraigD

MrRedundant wrote: »

Lets remember there are 2 sides to every story. To me it sounds like the OP is in an entry level sales administration role. At this sort of level there should not be work related stress.

Simply because the OP does extra work isnt always a good thing. It could be the rest of the staff simply know and comply with the procedures and dont fast track things they shouldnt.

I also note the OP's buzzwords and wonder if we are talking about a graduate/demoted/redundant person who has taken a step down and now overstates their worth. Lets face it we have all seen it.

The OP needs to if they have a genuine case for harassment/bullying back this up with evidence and not buzzwords

Well I appreciate where you are coming from however you are wide of the mark. Why shouldn't there be work related stress in an entry level role (afterall it is the poor that are going to suffer due to the cutbacks not the rich) in a poorly managed office. I haven't been demoted, made redundant or graduated recently. I am trying to stand up for myself and I am worth it!

CraigD

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Right - before you do anything......the report that your doctor writes needs to be only on the topic that the company are concerned about, and you need to clarify that the doctor will only report on the issues pertaining to 'work related stress' - not on any other aspect of your history. And make sure they send it to you for approval before it gets sent to the company.

Also, I'd be trying to find out what the company are going to do with the information in this report. I mean, if you have raised the issues at work, what is knowing that you do indeed have 'work related stress' going to achieve? If they have no intention of making changes to your workload or system of works then it's pretty pointless...after all, what more than 'work related stress' written on a sick note do they need to know? Which leads me to believe that they will probably try and find out whether you are susceptible to depression and stress and thus try to shift the blame on you - which is why you need to make sure only information pertaining to 'work related stress' is in the medical report.

Have you been offered some/any back to work options at this stage?

Personally, I'd ask Occupational Health what more information are they looking for in the medical that is above and beyond 'work related stress' which was written on the sick note; and ask them what the options for returning to work are at this stage as you are keen to get back to work and are aware that the medical report can take a long time to get authorised, written and sorted.

I have had a discussion with my manager on the phone and he is making all the right noises. I have indicated I will return to work on 29th November. I still haven't been given a date for my grievance hearing which will be with my bosses line manager or someone in a similar position if he isn't available. Thanks for all the kind words and support. :A

Googlewhacker

CraigD wrote: »

Well I appreciate where you are coming from however you are wide of the mark. Why shouldn't there be work related stress in an entry level role (afterall it is the poor that are going to suffer due to the cutbacks not the rich) in a poorly managed office. I haven't been demoted, made redundant or graduated recently. I am trying to stand up for myself and I am worth it!

How has that got anything to do with work related stress? If money like I said earlier is the problem then it is not the work that is stressing you but the fact you feel undervalued and if this is the case then it puts a question of your capability to do the work.

CraigD

Googlewhacker wrote: »

How has that got anything to do with work related stress? If money like I said earlier is the problem then it is not the work that is stressing you but the fact you feel undervalued and if this is the case then it puts a question of your capability to do the work.

I am undervalued but I fail to see how that equates to me not being capable to do the work!! I have done this role for three years with nobody questioning my ability to do the job. I am asserting my right to be treated with respect as anybody has a right to do. That means challenging the statement by MrRedundant "To me it sounds like the OP is in an entry level sales administration role. At this sort of level there should not be work related stress." People feel under stress for many different reasons so why do you equate being under stress as a reserve of managerial roles?

CraigD

CFC wrote: »

A word of warning -please do not take any notice of Broadstone's postings on this subject as he clearly does not know his material and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Pinkshoes has some sound advice. Remember, saying 'yes' to everything makes you a team player and everyone's favourite 'go-to' man, but it doesn't get you a pay rise and it doesn't get you manageable levels of work.

CraigD, do let us know how you get on.

I think the advice from Pinkshoes and others that I need to learn to say no and deal assertively with time wasters is the most valuable I have been given. It isn't necessarily the job itself which is causing me stress but the extra demands being put on my time by others who see me as a soft touch yes man. I have ordered the recommended books and am focussing on improving myself.

Googlewhacker

CraigD wrote: »

I am undervalued but I fail to see how that equates to me not being capable to do the work!! I have done this role for three years with nobody questioning my ability to do the job. I am asserting my right to be treated with respect as anybody has a right to do. That means challenging the statement by MrRedundant "To me it sounds like the OP is in an entry level sales administration role. At this sort of level there should not be work related stress." People feel under stress for many different reasons so why do you equate being under stress as a reserve of managerial roles?

I don't, I just found that comment of yours rather strange. Stress does go around the levels of employment but I would expect ahigher % of people in higher paid jobs to get more stress than people say on NMW.

CraigD

After emailing my works HR dept on 10th November I have finally been given a date for my grievance meeting. I originally accepted a meeting for last week but the person I was due to see wasn't available. So I have been offered a meeting with the manager of the site I work at this coming Friday. However the person I wish to accompany me for support is unavailable. I have requested a meeting next week when she is available. Do I have a right to demand the date of the meeting is changed to next week?

I am still signed off work till this Friday and my manager is putting pressure on me to return to work as I am feeling better. I would prefer to get this grievance meeting out of the way before I return to work however I am getting seriously frustrated at having this situation drag on.

I fear being labelled a troublemaker and being sacked however I feel justified in my action. In a way I am also wishing I hadn't gone off sick and raised a grievence as I am feeling more stressed than when I was at work. I have had a meeting with Occuptional Health and they have submitted a report to HR. OH are also recommending when I return to work I just do half days for the first week.

Any advice greatly appreciated as ever.