Should I take the time off

mingus2003

Hi all quick update.

On 11th August I took my docs advise and signed off until end of 26th (today). When I told my manager that day he had his usual moan, complained he will have to find someone to do my work etc. I emailed over a copy of my doctors certificate and a list of what I think is outstanding etc. Following day got constant messages regarding non-important stuff (think may of done an audit). I politely asked them to leave me alone unless it was a life or death situation.

They since did. Fast forward to today - the day I promised I will let them know whether or not I intend to return to work after the bank holiday. Around 3pm both myself and my wife had missed calls from an unknown number then the text messages started from my Manager (Ive put 2 & 2 together and come up with 5 probably).

They want a return to work interview with me and come in at 10am. Fine I accept the fact its a return to work interview all employers must do these. They also said that it will be with both the Manager and Director. Great Fantastic, So I have requested a companion so I have a witness and hopefully will help how they deal with it. They dont want me to have a companion. After I said I believe I have a right to this they backed down.

I then get told that to ease me back into the team they have moved my desk to a desk in isolation to everyone else. This will not help me eased back into work. Considering my doctor signed me off with Stress. He also told me to stay active where possible and be around people. If I stayed in the house looking at the same 4 walls it could turn Stress into Anxiety or Depression. Now I feel that this will now become the case with work. I have told them what my doctor has said that will help this and they have ignored and said its for my own benefit.

Not sure now what route to take. I know I need to get out. I am not really in a position financially to just walk a way. I appreciate any advise on here.

elsien

For future reference, you don't have a right of accompaniment to a return to work interview, although if there's two of them I can see why you want someone else there. Who are you planning to take? If there is a legal right to accompaniment for any future meetings, it would be a work colleague or a trade union rep.
The return to work interview should be about looking at the reasons for your absence, look at health issues and to explore any extra support that might be helpful to you. I say should, not will be.
So can you reiterate what your doctor has said (do you have any evidence to back this up, or can you get any?) and ask them to clarify how sticking you in isolation is for your own benefit? It may also be helpful to come up with some measured suggestions of your own as to what would benefit you - however !!!!ed off you are with them.

mingus2003

elsien wrote: »

For future reference, you don't have a right of accompaniment to a return to work interview, although if there's two of them I can see why you want someone else there. Who are you planning to take? If there is a legal right to accompaniment for any future meetings, it would be a work colleague or a trade union rep.
The return to work interview should be about looking at the reasons for your absence, look at health issues and to explore any extra support that might be helpful to you. I say should, not will be.
So can you reiterate what your doctor has said (do you have any evidence to back this up, or can you get any?) and ask them to clarify how sticking you in isolation is for your own benefit? It may also be helpful to come up with some measured suggestions of your own as to what would benefit you - however !!!!ed off you are with them.

Thanks - I did do abit of research and couldnt find anywhere that said i had the right to be accompanied. But I felt I needed to have someone with me because how they were going to attack it.

In terms of evidence from my doctor it was his advice and a bit of internet research shows stress can become other things if not dealt with properly.

I am in 2 minds if I should attend Tuesday or take more time off. Part of me is to turn up on Tuesday talk to them then decide if I am to return to work or return to the doctor. Whatever happens we know my time is up with them and I need to leave.

Savvy_Sue

to be fair, in some situations moving someone to a quieter area of the office could be a great help in relieving stress, so I wouldn't automatically assume a sinister motive.

There are times when I move myself to a quieter area just so that I can some things done without interruptions!

mingus2003

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

to be fair, in some situations moving someone to a quieter area of the office could be a great help in relieving stress, so I wouldn't automatically assume a sinister motive.

There are times when I move myself to a quieter area just so that I can some things done without interruptions!

I move myself to another part of the office when I need to get something done urgently.

I have today decided I need a professional's opinion if I am fit to return to work. I am going to listen to them and find out why they have done what they have done without even consulting me. The way they have handled the whole situation is wrong.

Part of me thinks they are discriminating me due to me taking the time off.