long term sick - advice please

joseph_bloggs

I have been with my current employer for around 5 years and have maintained a good sickness record.

This year my family have had increasingly poor health of a serious nature (wife). I also have two disabled sons. The stress of everything has been building inside and now I have been signed off with stress and depression. I have been off for 2 months and now my boss wants to meet.

I have had 4 calls trying to get me to go to the office to meet. I have been told not to worry about it, but I always thought that if you are off sick your employer can't ask you to go in??! I am worried about what is going to happen as I have been told that the hr manager will be present. I felt that I had to agree to the meeting, fearing what would happen if I said no.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

nikki2804

My place of employment does this around the 2 month mark aswell. It's more a 'how are you and is there anything we can do to facilitate a quicker return to work'.

They go through lots of different options i.e. reduced working hours, a phased return etc.

Sounds like it will be much of the same.

Phil_68

You should try to go and explain your case. They will need to know if there is anything they can do to help. They have a member of staff missing from work and that will have an impact on their operations.

Go along, and be honest and open. At this stage it seems they are being ok with it but if you feel under any pressure, adjourn the meeting. Ask if you can take someone with you for moral support.

Sorry to hear of your troubles, but handled in the right way can help you return to a normal life again.

Phil.

Goldiegirl

If it's not convenient for you to go to the office, perhaps you could Invite them to your house for the meeting?

You might feel more comfortable on your home territory.

These meetings aren't anything to worry about, they just want to see you you are getting on, and see if there's anything they can do to help you get back on your feet and return to work. For example, they might agree to a phased return to work, on a part time basis at first.

WestonDave

What they are suggesting is probably better than ignoring you for a number of months, waiting for sick pay to run out and then dismissing you on capability grounds. Its right for an employer to show some concern and to explore means which might get you back to work. They will also be concerned with a stress/depression diagnosis that its work related so will need to take action if necessary to avoid others going the same way. It sounds like its not but they won't know that until they talk to you and understand what is going on in your life.

It is worth seeing what they have to say - if its possible to restart work in a flexible way such that you are able to have an escape from the pressures at home without work adding to those pressures, it might be beneficial. That might mean allowing you the ability to take more time off when needed to cope with things at home. The thing to remember is that they can't take you back whilst you are signed off for insurance reasons, so unless they instruct a second doctor to assess you, you'd need to discuss things with work, then go back to your gp to get him to agree to a fit note which says you are OK to do as they are suggesting - which in itself provides some protection.

coinxoperated

I would go and explain. I think they are being extremely nice wanting to meet you and they may well be looking at helping you get back into your role.

A place I once worked at had a member of staff literally breakdown as his wife had just been diagnosed with cancer. He was signed off for two months and returned, but into a less stressful role which he enjoyed more. They bent over backwards to help him!

joseph_bloggs

Thank you all for your responses and words of support. I think I was more concerned that perhaps they would go down the action route but it seems like it is more normal and also may be beneficial in the long run. I am meeting at the end of the week and will let you know how it went.

joseph_bloggs

I had the meeting this morning. Seemed to go OK. Work are getting occ. health to call me and discuss return to work. Apart from that, they do seem to want me back so I had nothing to fear. Thanks all.