Work requesting me to go to have a health check

Davidryan0

Hi , l just joined hello everyone hope someone can help me . The beginning of the year l was off sick with at first food poisoning then a chest infection for three weeks all covered by doctors notes , never really fully recovered from the chest infection but carried working , took last week as holiday to recover ended up in a&e and then the doctors , l had a lung and chest infection , because of the antibiotics l was ill over the weekend and bank holiday so was off tuesday .. returned back weds . Thursday given a return to work form and told that he needed a chat over it
Today was taken in and they want to help and booked me a bupa health check on monday to see what is causing me to be unwell .. will they get a report as they are paying for the check , l have been there over 18 years l feel like it will be used against me ??

Sparx

Probably 2 reasons behind it this...

1. Your employer has a duty of care for you, so is paying out to ensure you are fit to work and healthy (as far as work is concerned). You never know, something you're unaware of may come of this. You would then be grateful!

2. An untoward reason but they probably want to check your reasons were legitimate and you haven't been skiving! Sorry to say but will be the ulterior motive.

theoretica

They will only get a report if you say they may and you can ask to see it before you give (or withhold) your permission.

Piscean1991

Just to add to that, as far as I'm aware (you may need to check this), if you don't agree with the report, you can ask the medical practitioner to make changes to it. If they refuse to make the changes, they must attach your notes regarding your thoughts.

I think they withhold it for about a month from your employers anyway to give you the opportunity to read and respond to it.

Davidryan0

Thanks , l rang bupa and they said that the company will not get a copy of the report which l find hard to believe because they are paying .

pinkshoes

Davidryan0 wrote: »

Thanks , l rang bupa and they said that the company will not get a copy of the report which l find hard to believe because they are paying .

Well I had the same issue at work (recurrent kidney and bladder infections and time off) so work paid for me to have a bupa appointment.

I then had an operation a couple of weeks later and since then (11 years on) i have only and one infection since.

Perhaps the company value your work and want to help?

Or if you don't trust the company, go work somewhere else perhaps??

sangie595

I actually doubt that the company are "out to get you" - but so what if they are?

(a) If there is an underlying illness that is causing your ill health and the NHS has missed it, wouldn't a second opinion be in your interests?
(b) if this raises concerns about something in your working situation which may be causing or contributing to your ill health, wouldn't you want to know?
(c) I don't know if you have seen what these tests cost, but most employees don't have employers willing to pay that much for their employees
(d) It is a reasonable request, and there will be consequences to refusal - not least because the employer will wonder what you are hiding
(e) you've had a lot of time off ill this year - it would be cheaper and easier to just start a sickness absence process that will inevitably lead to your dismissal if you continue to be off work sick. They don't need to offer or pay for a medical report to just get on with it.

I think you are overthinking this! There is nothing that report could tell the employer (assuming they see it) that you don't already know - is there?

comeandgo

Bupa only give the report to your employer if you tick the box allowing them to do so. They are a reputable company and will not do anything untoward, give them some credit.

Instead of viewing everything with suspicion be glad your employer has this in place. The benefits to you are immeasurable, they could find something that needs attention and could save you having weeks off work.

Undervalued

theoretica wrote: »

They will only get a report if you say they may and you can ask to see it before you give (or withhold) your permission.

No, not quite.

Obviously the OP can refuse the health check. If they agree, whilst they have a right to see the report before it is sent, they cannot then withhold it from the employer. They can discuss the content with the doctor and request changes but they cannot tell the doctor what to say as it has to be his professional opinion. If the OP and the doctor can't agree the doctor must include a statement of the OP's views in the report.

robatwork

What a terrible employer, paying the company's money to take care of your health.

I would leave, and go and work for a company who won't give so much of a toss.

Undervalued

robatwork wrote: »

What a terrible employer, paying the company's money to take care of your health.

I would leave, and go and work for a company who won't give so much of a toss.

A bit over the top comment don't you think?

I can understand the OP's concern. It is not unreasonable to think that the employer is acting as much, if not more, in their own own interests rather than the OP's.

Ultimately the employer is interested in maximum productivity and minimum hassle in exchange for the salary and benefits they offer. Sometimes paying for healthcare can be of real benefit to both parties but few employer's do it out of the goodness of their heart.