Wife on long term sick leave - currently in Induced Coma - Employers chasing sick lin

moneysavingmatt

Hi MSE,

I may be just getting a little oversensitive given my state at the moment but I've just had a phone call from my wife's employers and I am incredibly angry.

My wife has been on long term sick (8 months) and has had to phone in once a week to say she is no better (despite already having a sick line in) she has been asked repeatedly if she will take VR or just leave and when she asked for some alterations made to her working day as she is now registered disabled she was told "we are working on it".

She's seen Dr's appointed by her employers who also agreed she was not fit for work.

Last week she was admitted to hospital with pnuemonia and has been in an induced coma for 8 days fighting it. On day one of the coma I phoned her employers to advise of her condition and was greeted with a lot of insensitivity - "She's going to be ok though right?" - err no.. I basically stated until things change she will not be phoning in once a week as right now she is unable to.mmmmm

I've just had a phone call just now from her boss saying that she needs a sick line for her..

Am I way out of line thinking this is harrasment in a time where neither me nor my family require any further stress?

Surely under the DDA or just common sense that phone call should not have taken place - do I have any rights of complaining with ACAS on her behalf?

spacey2012

Tell them to meet you at the Hospital for a sickness review.
advise them to Bring a face mask and hand gell.

Bennifred

Hi Matt - I'm really sorry to read of your wife's health problems.

It sounds as if her employers are being incredibly insensitive. I do think you shouldn't give them brain space at the moment - concentrate on you, your wife and your well-being. Being angry with the employer is a waste of energy at the moment. You've told them the situation, now ignore them until there is a change they need to know about.

Best wishes

Bennifred

tomtontom

Asking for a sick note does come across as insensitive, but if that is what their sickness procedure dictates then they are simply following procedure. It is not harassment - that would only be the case if they were contacting you outside of their procedure, and/ or they kept asking for the same things. It would be worth calling her GP and asking if they will issue one, they can speak to her consultant if they are not fully up to date on her condition.

Disability protections are now under the Equality Act, not the DDA. As you suggest she may have the right to reasonable adjustments, but it does not seem the right time to be addressing them.

clairec79

But they could be thinking 'without the sick note then pay will be affected and you don't need that stress at the moment either'

You can get hospital notes - so you could ask when you are there, I can't see them not giving you a long term one

t0rt0ise

While your wife is in hospital, it is the hospital doctor who should provide the note.

bluffer

the thing is, the employer has a duty of care to the employee to make sure they are ok whilst they are off sick. that may be making home visits, phones calls, letters or a combination.

unless you or your wife tell them what is happening then how are they to know? i realise that might sound harsh in this stressfull time but they are only following their procedures and wanting information. take a deep breath, explain the situation and ask what they need - a letter from the gp, the hospital whoever.

DO NOT ignore them, it will make the situation worse and lead to more stress down the line.

yvonne13_2

OP sorry to hear about your wife. You can get a letter from the hospital confirming your wifes condition and that should be the end of that matter.
I can kind of understand from the employers point of view but the letter should clear any misunderstandings up.