Employer contacted GP without telling me

nicplymstock

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

If I read the OP correctly, it would seem the disciplinary is based on OPs refusal to discuss the medical nature of their absence.

OP, is that correct or is it to do with the amount of sickness you had (so are they using capability as the reason?)

Hi Mrs Chip- no it's not about capability at all- this hasn't been mentioned, neither has the amount of sickness that has been had in the past etc.

Sambucus_Nigra

What IS the disciplinary actually for?

nicplymstock

I am not on disciplinary but it could become that-the accusation is to do with misleading my employer about reasons why I have been away from work. As I said, I have followed absence proceedures, given in notes, got a letter from my GP just recently etc.

ILW

Have you in any way mislead your employer?

nicplymstock

No- I haven't. I genuinely don't understand how this has come about apart from the governments plan to publish teachers' absence details etc in futire- and I don't know how that would look etc.

Mrs_Chip

OK, so there is a potential disciplinary because your employer believes you have mislead them over the reason for your absence. You have provided a GP letter to explain, in general terms the nature of your condition, and they have not accepted it. They have not asked for permission to get a OH report from your GP, which I assume you would be willing to give on the basis that the OH dept deal with it, the information remains confidential and within the HR area and are limited to the infomation the GP considers necessary.

With your union's support I am sure this can be resolved, everyone needs to follow the published proceedures and I think you will be OK, but I hope one of the posters with professional experience of such situations will be able to advise you.

Sambucus_Nigra

Op - do you know which bit of the diagnosis it is they don't believe?

nicplymstock

It's not the diagnosis that's the problem- it is that I had days off as a result of the diagnosis and subsequent treatment that they are unsure of. Can't go into too much detail etc- I'm sure you appreciate

indsty

I am assuming you work for a local authority school. In which case there will be an Occupational Health Department attached to the council. All medical "problems" should be directed through them. Nobody can request info from your GP or Consultant without your signed consent and this should only be requested by the OH Department. If any further action is taken regarding your sickness absence then request a referral to OH ( you may be able to self-refer) - they will see you (in confidence) and request a report if necessary from your GP. Only the information you agree to should then be given as a report to your Manager.

nicplymstock

indsty wrote: »

I am assuming you work for a local authority school. In which case there will be an Occupational Health Department attached to the council. All medical "problems" should be directed through them. Nobody can request info from your GP or Consultant without your signed consent and this should only be requested by the OH Department. If any further action is taken regarding your sickness absence then request a referral to OH ( you may be able to self-refer) - they will see you (in confidence) and request a report if necessary from your GP. Only the information you agree to should then be given as a report to your Manager.

I agree and this is what bothers me about my school calling my gp and asking me to disclose info about my medical history- they are not medical professionals. I will see how the meeting goes with my rep next week. thanks again