Long term sick - employer wants to see me

TrainGeek1808

Hi

I've been off work sick since February. My SSP finished earlier this month.

I've got a brain tumour (cancer) which is terminal, but the prognosis can be anything from 1-5 years.

At present, I'm signed off sick until the end of December, and I've got my next scan in November/December to see if there's any regrowth of the tumour (there wasn't in the August scan).

My employer emailed me and wants to meet me later this week and discuss my treatment and plan resources - I understand and fully respect this (we have been in fairly regular contact through email), but I'm wondering what this might mean for me. He's thrown this link in the email ( http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4203 ).

I'm not sure what angle he's coming at, whether it's a catch-up, or he is looking to terminate my employment - I know he'd probably be fully entitled to do the latter, but wondered if anyone had any advice or thoughts.

Part of my condition, which is essentially a disability, is that I'm not taking in 100% of what is said to me and my memory recall isn't fantastic. I'd like to take my wife to the appointment to be my extra 'eyes and ears' - will this be OK? It will be an informal chat I suspect as its being held in a cafe.

I have accrued holiday pay which I'm aware of, and happy where I am with that.

Any advice more than welcome.

Thank you

Savvy_Sue

I don't think you have any right to have anyone with you, but it doesn't sound like an unreasonable request, so I would make it. If not your wife, then could the employer bring someone whose sole job is to take notes?

MoneyMission2015

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

Hi

I've been off work sick since February. My SSP finished earlier this month.

I've got a brain tumour (cancer) which is terminal, but the prognosis can be anything from 1-5 years.

At present, I'm signed off sick until the end of December, and I've got my next scan in November/December to see if there's any regrowth of the tumour (there wasn't in the August scan).

My employer emailed me and wants to meet me later this week and discuss my treatment and plan resources - I understand and fully respect this (we have been in fairly regular contact through email), but I'm wondering what this might mean for me. He's thrown this link in the email ( http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4203 ).

I'm not sure what angle he's coming at, whether it's a catch-up, or he is looking to terminate my employment - I know he'd probably be fully entitled to do the latter, but wondered if anyone had any advice or thoughts.

Part of my condition, which is essentially a disability, is that I'm not taking in 100% of what is said to me and my memory recall isn't fantastic. I'd like to take my wife to the appointment to be my extra 'eyes and ears' - will this be OK? It will be an informal chat I suspect as its being held in a cafe.

I have accrued holiday pay which I'm aware of, and happy where I am with that.

Any advice more than welcome.

Thank you

You would probably be entitled to either a work colleague or a union rep (although in your case this doesn't seem necessary, this is usually for disciplinaries). Just ask them if they would be happy with your wife attending but if not then a work colleague. I'm sure they will be sympathetic to your situation.

I wish you all the best.

FBaby

I can't help with your query TrainGeek, but I wanted to apologise for wrongly questioning in another thread the nature of your life limiting condition. It won't change anything, but I do acknowledge that it is must have been hard to read, so I am glad it hasn't stopped you from feeling you could come here and ask for advice.

ohreally

TrainGeek1808, given the nature of the circumstances, I'd put your request for extra eyes and ears to the folks meeting you, I'm sure they will be fine about agreeing.

Wish you well.

marlot

You have my extreme sympathies.

Chances are your employer just wants to work out what to do next. eg. Should they continue to keep your job open.

When I inherited a staff member who was off long term with stress, I made the difficult call to go and see her, and ask what her preferences were. I managed to negotiate a decent package on her behalf, which gave both sides closure.

BlueEyedGirl

TrainGeek1808 wrote: »

Hi

I've been off work sick since February. My SSP finished earlier this month.

I've got a brain tumour (cancer) which is terminal, but the prognosis can be anything from 1-5 years.

I would have thought under the circumstances your employer would allow your wife to attend given that your memory recall is poor. I wish you luck and my thoughts are with you.

TrainGeek1808

Thanks everyone.

I've got a work colleague coming down tomorrow night who is very good on stuff like this, so she's going to point me in the right direction too.

I'll email my employer, and tell him I want someone there - at the end of the day, it is part of my condition so presumably his refusal could be constituted as discrimination I'm guessing?

TrainGeek1808

FBaby wrote: »

I can't help with your query TrainGeek, but I wanted to apologise for wrongly questioning in another thread the nature of your life limiting condition. It won't change anything, but I do acknowledge that it is must have been hard to read, so I am glad it hasn't stopped you from feeling you could come here and ask for advice.

Thank you - I appreciate you taking time to post this.

To be honest I didn't know so many posts had been made. I don't check the forum that often, so not seen the thread had run to three pages!

tomtontom

They need to make reasonable adjustments for your condition, but that doesn't mean they have to allow your wife - they could suggest a colleague instead or someone from occupational health. Given how reasonable they have been to date I would ask the question, but be willing to compromise if they suggest an alternative means of assisting you.

TrainGeek1808

My employer was fine with my wife attending!

That's a relief for me.