Fit For Work Scheme

swingaloo

I have been off work through illness for 9 weeks. I have handed in doctors notes covering my illness.

Today I have had a text from 'Fit For Work' saying they have had a referral and will be in touch shortly.

Ive looked on their website and it says that the employer needs the employees consent to ask for a referral. The company have not been in touch with me for over 4 weeks and I knew nothing about the referral which has annoyed me slightly.

It also says they will make a decision about my return to work based on a 45 minute phone call. Im not sure i understand how they can do that over the phone. My doctor has told me I cannot return to work yet until I know if the new medication is going to help.

Has anyone had any experience of Fit for work?

lemontart

you may find that you gave permision in the t&c of your contract of employment.

Bogalot

Your GP can refer you also, could it be them that has passed on your details.

Think of it as a positive, they'll talk to you about your condition and what barriers to work you face, and they'll work with you to make a plan to help you back towards work.

Could you do a phased return perhaps? How long will it be until you know if the medication has worked?

Is it only nine weeks, early December you'd been off for over two months?

swingaloo

Bogalot wrote: »

Your GP can refer you also, could it be them that has passed on your details.

Its definitely work as they have now rang me and said they had had a referral from HR.


Think of it as a positive, they'll talk to you about your condition and what barriers to work you face, and they'll work with you to make a plan to help you back towards work.

I am looking at going back as soon as I can but I just dont see how they can assess over the phone really.



Could you do a phased return perhaps? How long will it be until you know if the medication has worked?

I couldnt plan a phased return at the moment as no 2 days are the same, on some days I can manage, on others I cant. The medication has just been changed and Im told between 4 and 6 weeks for it to take effect.

Is it only nine weeks, early December you'd been off for over two months?

I had some holidays which fell at the beginning of my sickness so although I have been off longer than 9 weeks I had holiday weeks at the beginning during which I was also ill.

DevilsMoJo

This sounds suspiciously like the Atos "assessments" that declared people fit for work even though their doctors said they weren't

Faith177

My OH had to go through this it's not that bad in fact it really helped him and his work.

They ask you a few questions over the phone about your condition and what you have to do in work

If they need to they will pass the details on to be review but if it's clear cut they can tell you the decision on the phone which is what happened with OH

They include you in everything they send to your work and the report they do is really informative

They made practical suggestions to both OH and his work to help his condition

Faith177

DevilsMoJo wrote: »

This sounds suspiciously like the Atos "assessments" that declared people fit for work even though their doctors said they weren't

Nope with OH they ruled him unfit after just 10 mins on the phone when he told them what was wrong and what his job was :rotfl:

ohreally

This initiative is voluntary and requires your consent.

I would be spitting feathers if I were you.

Undervalued

ohreally wrote: »

This initiative is voluntary and requires your consent.

I would be spitting feathers if I were you.

Well I wouldn't! Certainly without knowing how long the OP has been employed and something about the normal approach to sickness in their workplace.

Some employers take a very firm line about sickness absence and that can be perfectly lawful if they go about it carefully.

If the OP has been employed for less than two years then they have no protection unless their illness is classed as a disability.

Tread carefully.

swingaloo

Ive actually been employed by them for over ten years and had a good record until this. Only 3 days off in those years through sickness.

I understand that they have a procedure to follow, I was just a bit annoyed that I got the call without work speaking to me first.