Threatened with redundancy if i go on long term sick...

McKneff

The word 'redundancy' is mentioned in the title but I'm getting the impression that the word 'redundancy' was not mentioned in this 'meeting' and the OP has come up with the word him/herself.

OP needs to clarify really

antrobus

McKneff wrote: »

The word 'redundancy' is mentioned in the title but I'm getting the impression that the word 'redundancy' was not mentioned in this 'meeting' and the OP has come up with the word him/herself.

OP needs to clarify really

Or it might have been mentioned by the OHA in question. People often bandy about the word 'redundancy' to mean other things as well.

As a matter of law; employees who are off sick for long periods of time can be dismissed if it's unlikely that they will be able to get better and be able to return to work within a reasonable time.

I don' think that anyone, whether it's me, an OHA, or a bloke down the pub, can be penalised for providing the OP with that information.

marybelle01

Acc72 wrote: »

The OH will give an opinion as to whether the OP is fit for work or not - if they are not fit for work then they should not be in work irrespective of the companies approach.

I don't think anyone would disagree with that. You should always look after your health first and foremost. But suddenly facing capability processes that you weren't expecting and could lead to your dismissal are also stressful and not "healthy". We are spending a lot of time speculating what the motivation of the OH advisor was here. It really doesn't matter what her motivation was for comments that actually cannot be proven anyway. The OP now knows that there employer isn't tolerant of long term sick leave and tends to take action over it, and they know that the employer can do this. What they decide to do with that information - whether it hastens their return to work or not - has to be their own decision, and they should make that decision knowing all the facts. There's all too many occasions on this board when people come along saying that they've been off sick a long time and now their employer wants to dismiss them, and they don't know this can be done even. Surely it's better to be fully informed?

meer53

No company can support someone on long term sickness indefinately. It sounds as though it's being managed correctly as OH are involved but surely the OP can see that any long term sickness would put them at a higher risk of being made redundant if the company has to reduce staff numbers ?

I've just returned to work after long term sickness and fully understand that this will affect me in the future. I know that when bonuses are paid next year that there is a possibility i won't get anything, but i accept that as i've not been at work, so have been unable to contribute to the business. I also know that in the future this will be looked at (along with other things) if there are any redundancies.

I don't think it was meant as a threat, i think it was the OH person pointing out the obvious.

Jinx

I know that the OH nurse used by the company I used to work for has said to those who had recurring periods of long term sick that they 'had a decision to make' re their job choice. Basically some of the jobs in the sector are high pressure; some people could do it, others not and she felt it was in the patients interest to rethink if they were not coping. (the job wouldnt change)