Is this the correct procedure?

happyandcontented

A friend has been off work with stress and anxiety for just over a week. First week under Doctors direction she self certified, second week with a sick note. Her employers have sent her a letter asking her to come into work tomorrow for a meeting with a line manager and HR.

The issues are partly work related and partly home related.

I think it is very early to be contacting someone with that kind of issue but my friend feels obligated to go.

Is this acceptable or the norm?

the_donchichio

Well its the second week so it would be prudent for your friend to talk to the hr/mgr to let them know in person although if the stress/anxiety is so severe, why not arrange a home visit?

James_B.

Yes, it is acceptable and normal. The employer needs to find out if the employee is likely to be able to return to their duties soon.

If she cannot, then the employer will likely want to set in train the process to terminate her employment.

Bantex_2

Are they paying her?

Takeaway_Addict

Two weeks is perfectly fine for the employer to make contact. They probably should have offered to do it at their home or a neutral place but its not compulsory

Better as an employer to nip this in the bud if possible than allow it to drag into months. It also shows later on if it went to tribunal that they tried to help but the employee may have discarded it.

mumof3boys

I was off with work related stress two years ago. Since changing jobs I have been fine and have made a full recovery.

Whilst off I was contacted by my boss and hr to arrange a meeting. Because my boss was the main issue I actually was physically sick when I got the letter! My doctor wrote a letter to the Hr lady and told her that I just could not meet with my boss. she was very supportive. I was able to meet with just her and was referred to Occupational Health.

Again they were very supportive and got me counselling to help. Ultimately this gave me the courage to leave and I have never looked back.

As my boss was about to be made redundant they saw no point in processing my grievance. A shame really as I had complained before with other staff but nothing changed.

Just wanted to say if she feels she can't meet with her boss she could ask for just Hr.

tea_lover

Far better to start discussions early.