Phased return to work

Tillymint22

I have been off sick for 6 wks following surgery. My GP has given me a note for a further 4 wks on a phased rerun basis ie no heavy lifting, altered hours,
My job does not involve lifting and I feel I could easily return on maybe less hrs for a couple of weeks until I build up my energy levels etc
However my employer has refused to accept it, initially quoting health and safety, then stating that I should go home and enjoy my time off and only return once I was 100% fit. I will receive sick pay however it will run out before the end of this 4 wk note.
They have increased the hrs of another manager to do my job until I go back and I feel I am being eased out somehow. I have had feedback from staff to say this new manager is trying to discredit me and is looking for errors in my work!
We do not have an HR dept and I really do not know where I stand.
I am bored at home and losing my confidence, and due to the attitude of the manager I am unsure as to if I will be able to work with them on my return.
Can any one advise, what can I do? An I medically suspended?

PHILANTHROPIST

Tillymint22 wrote: »

I have been off sick for 6 wks following surgery. My GP has given me a note for a further 4 wks on a phased rerun basis ie no heavy lifting, altered hours,
My job does not involve lifting and I feel I could easily return on maybe less hrs for a couple of weeks until I build up my energy levels etc
However my employer has refused to accept it, initially quoting health and safety, then stating that I should go home and enjoy my time off and only return once I was 100% fit. I will receive sick pay however it will run out before the end of this 4 wk note.
They have increased the hrs of another manager to do my job until I go back and I feel I am being eased out somehow. I have had feedback from staff to say this new manager is trying to discredit me and is looking for errors in my work!
We do not have an HR dept and I really do not know where I stand.
I am bored at home and losing my confidence, and due to the attitude of the manager I am unsure as to if I will be able to work with them on my return.
Can any one advise, what can I do? An I medically suspended?

How long have you worked there ?

May be annoying, but why not take another say one week off, then go back to ur GP and ask them (if appropriate) to declare you fit for work on a f/t basis. You would then be fit and available to work and should almost certainly be able to return to work on a f/t basis immediately.

If you suspect there's goings on at work then re-connect with site and/or maybe raise an informal/ formal grievance .. a paper trail may help you if something is amiss.

HTH

Phil

dori2o

The 'advice' on the fit not which states that the GP advises you return to work via a phased return is just that, advice. Your employer is not bound by that 'advice' that the GP has offerred.

However, it would not usually be the case that they can dismiss it out of hand and they should seek advice from another Doctor, or via Occupational Health, each of these should be provided at the employers expense.

How long have you worked for this employer?

If it is more than 2 years then you have the protection of employment rights and the ability to take your employer to a Tribunal if you wish to do so should the employer simply dismiss the 'advice' on the fit note without gathering other medical information/evidence based on your condition.

As it stands if your employer does not accept the phased return, then as it stands you are unfit for work for a period of time upto that which is detailed on the fit note.

See here for some further advice http://www.personneltoday.com/hr/government-tells-employers-they-can-overrule-gp-fit-notes/

PHILANTHROPIST

Excellent supplementary input by dori2o.

You are well equipped to now act.

Legally they cannot stop you returning to work without good reason.

Phil

Takeaway_Addict

dori2o wrote: »

The 'advice' on the fit not which states that the GP advises you return to work via a phased return is just that, advice. Your employer is not bound by that 'advice' that the GP has offerred.

However, it would not usually be the case that they can dismiss it out of hand and they should seek advice from another Doctor, or via Occupational Health, each of these should be provided at the employers expense.

How long have you worked for this employer?

If it is more than 2 years then you have the protection of employment rights and the ability to take your employer to a Tribunal if you wish to do so should the employer simply dismiss the 'advice' on the fit note without gathering other medical information/evidence based on your condition.

As it stands if your employer does not accept the phased return, then as it stands you are unfit for work for a period of time upto that which is detailed on the fit note.

See here for some further advice http://www.personneltoday.com/hr/government-tells-employers-they-can-overrule-gp-fit-notes/

In the main most employers would not fork out this extra expense and would go down the route of, if your fit you work, if your not you don't and there is no inbetween (exclusions apply of course)

And that only applies to employers that refuse a phased return to work.