Can I be fired for being off sick?

redjaxx52

I have been diagnosed for nearly 10 years with depression.

I have been with my employer for 2 years and have had a few weeks off in that time with surgery and a car accident.

I have a very stressful job and have been doing the job of 3 people for over 6 months. I have mentioned in development reviews I need some help or time to do the additional work they keep giving to me but nothing has ever happened or changed to help me.

I have been battling with the depression and dont want to go back onto tablets after coming off them summer last year but things are getting worse.

I am worried that if I allow my doctor to sign me off work they will sack me or that I wont recieved any payment whyilst I'm off as I cant afford not to have an income.

I work for a college and they have been good in the past but since my car accident in Nov when I hurt my back and had 2 weeks off, they are asking me to go to Occupational health. I have no problem in going to this and do wish to keep my job.

My line manager is innexperienced (a former colleague who steped on me and others to get promoted a few months ago) and continually asks me to do more work and help her when she does not know what to do (even making me mentor new tutors alogside all of my other work and own teaching hours)

The person above my manager is aware of my illness and wl of what i am always being asked to do but has not relieved me of any tasks when I have expressed my concerns and asked for help.

Please can anyone help? I dont wish to loose my job but at the moment cannot continue due to making silly mistakes and daily decling health. I am not sure where I stand legally.

thank you to anyone who may eb able to offer some help

InsideInsurance

As above, but it cannot come from a single day off. They must follow their complete disciplinary process including giving you a warning etc.

Takeaway_Addict

InsideInsurance wrote: »

As above, but it cannot come from a single day off. They must follow their complete disciplinary process including giving you a warning etc.

Not neccersarily true, they can let the person be off sick for a few months and then go down a capaibility route and dismiss fairly in one go. Its not an easy process and takes time but it can be done.

redjaxx52

Thank you for the replies.

I am capable of the job, however what I am doing now is not my job description, I literally have a full time teaching role, administrator and mentor all put into one. I have raised the issue in reviews with my manager over the last 6 months but more work keeps being assigned to me.

I am more than happy to go to OH and will be completly honest as I do love my job, just not all the additional roles I have been gradually assigend as I purly dont have enough time to complete everything and am taking it home every night.

I am trying to seek union advice as I do believe they are putting too much pressure on me.

Thank you once again to everyone

Takeaway_Addict

redjaxx52 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies.

I am capable of the job, however what I am doing now is not my job description, I literally have a full time teaching role, administrator and mentor all put into one. I have raised the issue in reviews with my manager over the last 6 months but more work keeps being assigned to me.

I am more than happy to go to OH and will be completly honest as I do love my job, just not all the additional roles I have been gradually assigend as I purly dont have enough time to complete everything and am taking it home every night.

I am trying to seek union advice as I do believe they are putting too much pressure on me.

Thank you once again to everyone

Don't fear the capability to much, it is a last resort and can take a good 6-9 months from start of illness.

Yoou're right to get the union help and talk to OH and your manager as a compromise is a much better way through this