Question re Occupational Health Decision

masonsmum

My dad works for the roads department of our local authority council he is 55 years old and has worked for them for over 30 years.

Over the past year we have noticed a difference with my dad's memory sometimes he is fine and some days he gets mixed up with days and his recall etc. He made a doctors appointment and was sent for a brain scan and blood tests which all came back clear however a memory test with the mental health team showed slight memory issues and he has been referred again to a specialist doctor which we were told would be around 3 months time. His direct manager told him last week that he was being sent to occupational health as he had noticed differences in him but when my dad questioned his manager he agreed there had been no error or effect on his workload he had noticed it on a personal level of forgetfulness .

He had the meeting today with occupational health and they have taken his licence from him with immediate effect. Can they do this if there has been no medical diagnosis and effect on his work. He is a member of the union and I have told him to contact them too but any advice would be greatly appreciated?

jacques_chirac

Yes, it is right that they move him away from dangerous situations in case he has a lapse at work - if they did not and he then had an accident, or caused others to be put in danger, they would open themselves up to litigation. Is there any other work they could allocate him? Would they be willing to pay towards a private consultation, so he can see a specialist more quickly?

masonsmum

They have advised they will be moving him to another depot he drives the gritting lorries for the winter standby but even though we understand the risks there will be a massive drop in overtime income for him.

He actually applied for voluntary redundancy several months ago and is still waiting on a decision could this be a factor in the decision?

GothicStirling

masonsmum wrote: »

They have advised they will be moving him to another depot he drives the gritting lorries for the winter standby but even though we understand the risks there will be a massive drop in overtime income for him.

He actually applied for voluntary redundancy several months ago and is still waiting on a decision could this be a factor in the decision?

I understand how difficult it is on a personal level for your Dad, but the council have a responsibility to look after the welfare of not only the public and his colleagues first. What if your Dad is out gritting and causes an accident, is it worth him ending up in hospital because of a drop in income?

If he's already applied for voluntary redundancy, then this might give them the push to accepting it.

marybelle01

masonsmum wrote: »

They have advised they will be moving him to another depot he drives the gritting lorries for the winter standby but even though we understand the risks there will be a massive drop in overtime income for him.

He actually applied for voluntary redundancy several months ago and is still waiting on a decision could this be a factor in the decision?

Do not think about rushing into anything. At over 55 and with 30 years service, there may be other options, including retirement on full pension - this is especially true if there may be an issue of being unfit to work or becoming unfit to work. It may be that paying him off with redundancy may be in the employers best interests but not his. A couple of years ago a friend of mine, at 55 and with no medical issues, got paid off (compulsory) redundancy AND full pension taken immediately. Talk to the union, and remember that with occupational sick pay as well as the possibility of other work, he is in a good position not to have to rush into anything without thinking it through thoroughly.

Errata

OH are being sensible and protecting your dad by insuring he has a safe work environment, which at the moment is not at the wheel of a gritting lorry.
He should talk to his union and his GP.

kazzah60

I understand completely how worried you and your dad are about this- BUT imagine how devastated your Dad would be if he had an accident and someone was injured or worse.

You sound like a caring, loving family and Ihopethat things will work out for the best

haycorns

I agree with the comments above. I would have a discussion about the loss of overtime - perhaps there is other work available. Seek advice from Local Gov pensions too. If he isn't granted ill health retirement , it may still be beneficial to draw his pension early. Lots of things are changeing with LG pensions - make sure you get some good advice. And just because you are drawing your pension it doesn't mean you can't work in another role.

Despite the shock this must be , try and turn it to your advanctage and look at ways you can get to spend more time together and focus on the doing the things that are importnant to you as a family..

Real life is more important than work.

FreezingWarm

Totally understand your predicament, and appreciate the concerns you have over your father's income. Remember, the best wealth is health. His Employers are only ensuring he is safe, as are all those who come in contact with him- they have a duty of care to him too.

As for the VR, fingers crossed..hope it works out!

ValHaller

masonsmum wrote: »

He had the meeting today with occupational health and they have taken his licence from him with immediate effect.

It seems odd that OH or the employer would take a licence away? Can you explain some more, because this does not look right.

GothicStirling

ValHaller wrote: »

It seems odd that OH or the employer would take a licence away? Can you explain some more, because this does not look right.

I think she means the council license. But really, she needs to advise her Dad to phone the DVLA too.