occupational health referral?

sangie595

There is a huge difference between a disability and a long term health problem. Losing your voice is not a disability. It has no impact on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities - there are other forms of communication. And the suggestion that non-phone based work would be a better option proves it. Nobody is saying the OP won't ever be able to speak - it is something specific to certain activities - talking too much! It is only a health condition that affects some work, not all work. Nor has there been any suggestion that the OP cannot use a phone ever - the specific recommendation is that call centre work where they are talking all day is unsuitable. Other jobs would probably also be unwise - but that doesn't make it a disability.


In the end, whichever, the employer has no responsibility for making or finding a job if one does not already exist. It isn't as simple as simply moving the OP to another job. There has to be another job available. And one that the OP can do.


The worst OH can do is agree with the GP, in which case that confirms the OP cannot return to their job. They have no ability to override the GP's advice - most OH advisors are not qualified doctors anyway. So OH poses no risk either way - nobody can force the OP to go back to their job. But the employer also cannot be forced to find them another job. So unless there is a vacancy available, it all comes to the same place.

split_second

hi everyone sorry for the delay in replying.

I will try and answer the questions as best as I can.....

Where I work is a large company, something like 3000 people work on the same site as me.

I have been suffering with recurrent voice loss for about a year, about 6 times it has fully gone, about 8-10 times further it has nearly gone. The only other time I have been off sick is when I had glandular inflammation so bad I couldn't turn my neck

I have worked in call centres for about 10 years, and in customer service for a total of about 17, I have various qualifications particularly with computers and used to do tech support before the company decided to outsource.
I want to stay with the same company, I am going in person to hand my sick note in, I would say to anyone if I could do what the doc has advised, get to the bottom of what is causing it, get my voice back and go back to work (albeit doing a different job, to prevent it happening again) I would be really happy.

It is a lot more disruptive and frustrating than people realise, when I have no voice if I go into a shop, people think there is something wrong with me and start talking V-E-R-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y which annoys me, or presume I am just ignorant because I just smile and nod rather than engaging in a full blown conversation, trust me I would love to. Currently on day 8

Doc has said I have to go back next week, if voice hasn't restored I have to have blood tests, results of those will determine if I have an underlying medical condition, or if I need referral to e.n.t and the requisite cameras and possibly an operation, which could make my voice box permanantly weaker

I have no objection to going to oc health, and have even said to work that I am fine with it and understand I would need to, I haven't told them I don't fully understand what could be recommended for me and am worried they will suggest things that are not suitable for me.

(sorry for the appalling spelling, I am using a chromebook and it doesnt have spellcheck on the browser)

belisha-beacon

OP, you may find this article useful: http://www.robertsjackson.co.uk/news/legal/occupational-voice-loss/ You've got to take some of it with a pinch of salt as it's written by solicitors touting for business, but knowledge of a relevant legal case could be useful to you if your employer does have a suitable alternative job available that you'd like to be transferred to.

split_second

belisha-beacon wrote: »

OP, you may find this article useful: http://www.robertsjackson.co.uk/news/legal/occupational-voice-loss/ You've got to take some of it with a pinch of salt as it's written by solicitors touting for business, but knowledge of a relevant legal case could be useful to you if your employer does have a suitable alternative job available that you'd like to be transferred to.

Thanks that is really useful

I hope that when I go in to hand my sick note in that my employer will be willing to work with me to help me find something suitable internally, makes sense for both sides and they now know how long and bad things have been and how bad the potential underlying cause could be when I have previously just dealt with the pain and subsequent stress while quietly suffering (literally)

elsien

This isn't just about you though, it's about your employer's needs as well.
So put a case together that will demonstrate your suitability/qualifications for the non phone based roles. Regardless of your GP's opinion, they're not going to shift you to another job unless you're the right person for it.
You need to consider your employers perspective as well as your own if you do need to negotiate alternatives .

FBaby

I have been suffering with recurrent voice loss for about a year, about 6 times it has fully gone, about 8-10 times further it has nearly gone

And your doctor still hasn't referred you to an ENT consultant? Did you go off sick each time and recorded it every time as loss of voice? I would expect Occ Health to recommend you see a consultant and take their clinical view about future prospects into account rather than your GP.

split_second

Didn't go off sick with it, my attitude has always been to get on with things quietly, literally.

Its only when things have got this far (nearly a week and a half with no voice) that i have undergone any sort of investigation.

the first time it happened i went to the walk in centre and they said it will sort itself out

ohreally

Bet your other half is loving this.

split_second

ohreally wrote: »

Bet your other half is loving this.

the first day or so it was funny, a week and a half on joking has turned to concern.

realistic scenarios are that I have something wrong with my blood or polyps on my vocal cords, worst case scenario is that those polyps are cancerous.

t0rt0ise

If your GP seriously thinks it could be cancerous they should have referred you on the ten day cancer referral scheme. If I were you, I would go back to the GP now and ask to be referred. It isn't going to be anything wrong with your blood as such, they will however look for signs in the blood to point to what is really wrong but the specialist should do all that and not the GP.