occupational health -what to expect?

coastertoaster

Got a meeting at OH at the end of the week. Not been able to work due to long term illness and I am on treatment now which I have just started and am being given monitored carefully as the treatment will take some time to be effective. I have never been to OH before what should I expect? My illness is not work related, I am a teacher and not been able to work since September. I want to return to work as soon as my health allows but I may still have a while to wait yet. Any advice please. The letter says it is a doctor I am seeing at OH, do I need to take anything with me?

Yorkie1

I would take details of the medication and have a brief chronology of your illness history. Unless your condition is really rare I don't think you need to take anything else.

They will look at the effect of health on work, and vice versa. The employer will probably have asked about likely prognosis and timescale for any return to work; also whether anything can be offered to ease a return to work.

It shouldn't be anything to be scared of. They are impartial. Just be honest about where you're at.

Good luck.

coastertoaster

Thanks Yorkie1 . I go the day before I go back back to the doctors, and I go to the doctors the day my current note runs out. Hopefully a solution that is helpful to gettingme back to work will be achieved. I am just getting in a state as not been a week since September where I haven't had to go to doctors or hospital or had tests or so thing medical. Goalposts keep moving and just when I feel yes getting light at the end if the tunnel it moves further away. Work have been supportive in the sense that I was off for 3 months before the first trigger was pushed (usually a month ) and had a meeting regarding absence. OH now which I know us supportive but all new to me. New medication is knocking me for 6, which I was warned about but presume OH doctor would be aware if this. Shall just see. Just been a very very hard few months and it is all procedure but it's just all so new.

ohreally

coastertoaster wrote: »

OH now which I know us supportive but all new to me

This is a management referral, the purpose of this is not necessarily to support you (that is what your GP is for) but to provide a report to your employer.

Has your employer informed you what information they are asking OH to provide - if not you may wish to ask them.

If you are asked for consent to approach your GP for info/ reports, be clear the consent only relates to this illness and no other.

You are entitled to be copied into the report, it may be prudent to request this. If you don't agree with the content raise your concerns before the report is forwarded to your employer.

Are you a union member?

coastertoaster

Yes I am a member of a union as I am a teacher. Human resources referred me after a stage 1 meeting which was triggered as was off for longer than a month. Went to this meeting with a union rep as was allowed to but he said was just procedure and the normal thing. Informed school and HR at this meeting what specialist said which was would be starting a course of treatment that would take a minimum of 6 weeks to become effective so looking at the earliest middle to end of Jan. Union said that would most likely be referred to OH which have been.

thehappybutterfly

I've been assessed twice this year by OH for a non work related injury. My experience was very positive both times. Their job is to assess your fitness for your particular job and are there to recommend a) a return to work and b) if any modifications are required, e.g. Phased return, light duties etc. IMHO if you go in with a defensive or suspicious attitude you won't get the best from your appointment. Be honest and open - I'm sure your employer wants you back to work asap even in a limited capacity and oh will help.


re the actual appt, it can take an hour, they ask about your job, what it involves and how you feel about returning to work. It'll be fine I'm sure!

coastertoaster

Thanks happybutterfly. I fully intend to be very positive about the meeting and want to work with all parties to go back to work as quickly as possible that will be beneficial to all parties. I understand fully that no employer wants anybody off without a date if return and I also know that health comes first. Work do genuinely seem supportive about phasing me back and the gp also is fully supportive as is the specialist. Yes been unable to work since September but best for all concerned to take time now and go back 100% well. The thankful thing is I have always always wanted to go back and have been in tears when I have been told I can't.

TELLIT01

OH assessment for long term illness seems to be pretty much standard practice these days. It's partly to protect the employer against claim of not being supportive etc and partly to see what, if anything, can be done to enable the employee to return to work as soon as practical.
It's really not in either party's interest to have somebody off sick longer than they need to be.

themull1

My husband has been to two OH meetings recently, and they were benificial. Nothing to worry about.

Takeaway_Addict

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I've been assessed twice this year by OH for a non work related injury. My experience was very positive both times. Their job is to assess your fitness for your particular job and are there to recommend a) a return to work and b) if any modifications are required, e.g. Phased return, light duties etc. IMHO if you go in with a defensive or suspicious attitude you won't get the best from your appointment. Be honest and open - I'm sure your employer wants you back to work asap even in a limited capacity and oh will help.


re the actual appt, it can take an hour, they ask about your job, what it involves and how you feel about returning to work. It'll be fine I'm sure!

This is correct but as Ohreally alluded to it is also a safety net for the employer if they are looking to dismiss due to capability reasons, if they can show they have been reasonable and likelyhood of return is not within a reasonable timescale it strengthens their defence if taken to a tribunal

Hillbilly1

Thanks for posting this. I have just had 2 weeks off before Christmas. I am going to see OH once back at work, and I am going back tomorrow.

I can do a lot of my job, just not physical aspects. I'm not sure how it will be handled and what OH are looking for. I don't think I should lose my job, but I think it could happen?