employed for 6 months now singed off sick...

jim351

Hi all, ive been employed for 6 months but have now been signed off due to a painfull right knee, im employed as a car valeter which i have to kneel down a fair bit, but the pain has got so much over the last couple of months i now cant kneel, i went to the hospital first and now the doctors and got told to take some pain killers and apply deep heat cream, not happy with this i called the doctors when i got home to complain and now have another appointment for later this week to see another doctor who is an orthopedic, i called my employer which i explained this all to and he has told me to keep him informed as to what was happening, but he also said if i couldnt do my whole job he had nothing for me? the doctor signed me off explaining "you may be fit for work taking into account i carried out amended duties" now can i be sacked? if so i have no choice but to go back to work and put up with the pain? can this be right?

jim

dmg24

If you are incapable of fulfilling your role and there is no other suitable work available for you, you can be dismissed.

Uncertain

If your employer can't accommodate the reduced or modified duties suggested by your doctor on the "fit" note then they must, by law, treat you as off sick.

Depending on your contract you may be entitled to contractual sick pay otherwise simply SSP (after the first three days).

Long term, if you are unable to work, the employer can dismiss you on the grounds of capability.

As you have worked there for less than a year you have very little employment protection.

If they were to terminate your employment you would be entitled to paid notice (one week unless your contract says more) plus payment for untaken holiday. You continue to accrue holiday whilst off sick and during any notice period.