Employer Forcing Meeting While on sick leave

robbo462003

Hello advice please,I am past retirement age and have been with my employer for 7 years + I am on sick leave since 19th November 2012 ,current fit note expires end of January.Stress & anxiety is the problem caused by management since February 2012.No previous sick absence for 2 years.now received letter telling me to attend meeting tomorrow for investigatory meeting to answer misconduct allegations.If i fail to attend decision will be taken in my absence.My question is,is this a reasonable request considering I am on sick leave through stress & anxiety?

cazziebo

Yes, in my opinion it is reasonable. You have been off for two months with no fixed date of return. The employer has a duty of care to you to enable you to return if that is possible. This is particularly true if you believe that work is contributing to your illness.

The employer also has a duty of care to the other employees who will be covering your absence. it's not a situation that can be allowed to continue indefinitely.

The allegations of serious misconduct must be investigated, and if they concern you then it is much better if you are there to state your case. It's unlikely to help you if these investigations are undertaken in your absence.

What you can do is make it as easy as possible. Suggest neutral ground for the meeting. Request that you have a friend/advocate with you. Suggest some modifications and actions the company can implement that will support you in returning to work.

tanith

I agree with what cazziebo says, its better to keep the lines of communication open between you and a meeting with someone to accompany you would be a good plan. That way you can both suggest useful ways of you eventually returning to work , if you don't want to return then its an opportunity to open that line of discussion with your bosses.

purple.sarah

Are you with a union?

paddedjohn

Even if you don't think you will return to work don't offer to resign, let them make the first move.

robbo462003

Thank you all for your advice,I am in a union and asked the rep on Dec 4th to arrange a meeting with an occupational health adviser but management have kicked that into the long grass and are bent on the investigatory meeting.The misconduct allegations were notified to me on 15th November 5 days after I requested 2 days unpaid leave to catch an earlier flight for my December annual holidays. They were unhappy about the request.As I m still on sick leave I m inclined to resign.There is more to life.Thank you all again

Uncertain

robbo462003 wrote: »

As I m still on sick leave I m inclined to resign.There is more to life.Thank you all again

Don't do that!

Even if you have made up your mind you want out and nothing more to do with them you are still better off sitting tight and let them make all the moves. If that is your decision then all the stress goes.

All the time you are off sick holiday accrues and, under most circumstances, if they dismiss you they will have to pay your notice as well.

You could just ignore all communications but I would simply bat anything around as slowly as possible. Write replies (after a few days) that don't really say anything or answer one point out of three. A small amount of effort will amount to a few hundred pounds or more!

Takeaway_Addict

Uncertain wrote: »

Don't do that!

Even if you have made up your mind you want out and nothing more to do with them you are still better off sitting tight and let them make all the moves. If that is your decision then all the stress goes.

All the time you are off sick holiday accrues and, under most circumstances, if they dismiss you they will have to pay your notice as well.

You could just ignore all communications but I would simply bat anything around as slowly as possible. Write replies (after a few days) that don't really say anything or answer one point out of three. A small amount of effort will amount to a few hundred pounds or more!

Normally I would agree, however the OP is of retirment age so it really depends on how much the OP wants the money.

mazza111

Nah I wouldn't resign either, let them get rid of you. Let them keep paying you for being off sick. They may even medically retire you. If they have such a scheme you may as well take advantage of it.

Really depends how it's affecting your mental health whether it's worth the hanging on.

Uncertain

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

....... so it really depends on how much the OP wants the money.

That pretty much sums up most people's employment!

Takeaway_Addict

Uncertain wrote: »

That pretty much sums up most people's employment!

Not really because there is no future employment issues if they decide to retire