Are they right?

Chrissiew

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

Our employment contracts state that the company reserves the right to seek a second or specialist opinion on medical matters (paid for at firm's expense).

Their action seems perfectly reasonable to me. If an employer has doubt about an employee's fitness for work, it has a duty to investigate further.

Yes and that's what they did and the OT had not heard of a fatty liver before even though we told him its quite common and does not affect health in anyway, but he wanted medical reports from the GP clarifying that fact, which is the right thing to do as why should he take our word, we could have just been saying it to get back to work, the point is the employer has asked for more sick notes so they can get my husband off medical suspension pay (£235pw) and back on to SSP (£85) per week, but the GP won't supply one because he is fit for work.

thegirlintheattic

Simply tell the employer your OH does not need a fit note because he is fit for work. It doesn't matter what the condition is. Your OH has had the test and the symptom is now a diagnosis (this is where I think the employer is getting confused).

I can understand the employer wanting a second opinion though considering the occupation. You need to put a rocket up the GP's behind so that the medical records are sent over sooner rather than later.

sniggings

tbh it sounds as if the person he is seeing isn't a Doctor, I doubt any doctor hasn't heard of a fatty liver and even if they hadn't which if very unlikely they would not admit it you a patient :rotfl: bet it's one of those white coat jumped up bleeps he has seen.

nightingalesgarden

But a GP does't specialise in occupational health - so a second opinion from a professional is something that an employer may do when there they feel that they need additional information or more likely, their insurance company has insisted following them reporting the incident.

For instance I've seen fit note for employees who are bed bound after an operation as they've told the GP they can use their laptop in bed! Yes, they may be able to - but will it cause them further ill health? ergonomics were not considered.

so yes, an employer can keep an employee away from work if they have concerns - either with the agreement of the GP or on normal wages.

In this case it does seem to be taking a long time - request a 1-2-1 with management and get them to confirm in writing the position.