first post any advice welcome

honey6767

after working for 13 years in the NHS had a meeting on friday with my bosses due to my current sickness .I have been off work since 14th november 05 and in that time had two operations one major for skin cancer am still having problems with my lymphoedemia (legs swelling) and had a huge lump after the first op which is why I had to go in hospital for over 2 weeks in october to have it removed , seems they're not prepared to wait any longer. When I explained to the nurse at the lymph clinic about my concerns about returning to work she got quiet angry saying did they not realise that I had two ops and two lots of general anaesthetic and it takes time to recover
I have been to occupational health and know they have asked for written reports from my doctor and consultant at the meeting they told me occupational health had informed them they thought I would not be able to return within the next six months therefore had no alternative but to terminate my contract under ill health. they have offered me 12 weeks pay as I'm now in my thirteen year there (unlucky for some) but no holiday pay as i've not worked to accrue any holidays I informed them I had carried 5 days over from the previous year which they said they would pay but it was up to the manager I also lost 3 days pay that year. I'm not in the pension scheme as I have a private pension.
any advice greatly appriciated

thanks

Mistyang

Hi Honey
I am sorry to hear of your plight and hope you are feeling better. I too work for the NHS and have to see Occupational Health so they can report to my manager on my progress from a shoulder operation. Are you in a Union at all? If you end up with no income and your health problems are ongoing you will be eligible for incapacity benefit.
I hope your lymphoedema becomes less troublesome.
I don't really have a lot of advice for you but I did feel I wanted to answer your post. Mistyang.

hjb123

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your situation.

You should get some advice from someone like ACAS, the Citizens Advice Bureau or local Welfare Rights Service who should be able to help you and advise you what they can or cant do - ACAS will probably be best for now

I can in a way know what you are going through. I worked for a high street retailer until a couple of years ago, I had been with them for between 4 and 5 years and then was off sick. Luckily I was on full pay for 18 weeks or thereabouts then had a further month just on SSP before they terminated my contract. I have to say it was like a weight of my mind when this happened, it was sort of mutual - well I decided as they werent being over reasonable or considerate and had never been I was better off out of there!

Is there anything in your contract about sick pay and time off etc?

GOod Luck

ohreally

Are you a union member?

changkra

My sis in law came across this problem a couple of years back due to being off work with M.E. They initially wanted to end her contract but she fought back with the knowledge of another staff member in the same position who was allowed to return to work at hours suited to herself with the agreement of Incapacity benefit. Fortunately they agreed to this, i was thinking that this may be an angle to defend from. You are obviously not in a position to work full time at the minuet but you could start with 1/2 a day and work up to 2 half days and so on. I feel its very selfish of them to try and force you out especially after you have worked there for such a long time. As other posters have said arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can and get some support which can also represent you at meetings if necessary and good luck.

ohreally

changkra wrote:

You are obviously not in a position to work full time at the minuet but you could start with 1/2 a day and work up to 2 half days and so on.

It's known as a phased return and there will be a policy to accomodate such a request.Her union can advise on the details.

Mistyang

The Human Resources people will send you the Policy on phased return to work, I did this for 4 weeks I think the maximum is 6 weeks on phased in hours although they said they would only pay me for 4weeks full time, which really was added pressure. (Nhs employee)

dmg24

Hi Honey,

Sorry to hear of your situation. Two questions:

- Have OH received the reports from your consultant and GP, and was this information reflected in their report?
- When do you think that you will be fit to return to work?

I ask the latter because I believe that, even with all the expertise of the medical staff, only you truly know your own body.

Do you want to go back?

Would a phased return to work be an option for you?

Sorry, ended up as more than two questions!

I have just left the NHS after a period of ill health, but was in the opposite situation, as much as I wanted to leave they wouldn't get rid of me!

Really hope you get this sorted out for the best x