Early Pension through injury

Sharpster

Hi just wondering if anyone has had their pension paid early through injury / ill health
I was working for local council for 30 years until last year until i broke my ankle really badly,as my job was a sports dev officer mainly coaching Athletics i found it impossible to carry out my duties coaching triple jump long jump etc etc. I persevered for a short period of time but found it impossible to carry on working. I very reluctantly had to leave my post at the age of 50.I applied & was refused by HR services my pension because they said it was possible for me to find other " gainfull employment" which is proving really difficult.I have disputed/appealed their ddecision & have recieved a letter back from the ombudsman stating they cannot reach a decision yet because they have recieved the non medical evidence from my local council but they need to recieve the medical evidence before they can make a descion which they are currently chasing up.Its been several months now,is my local council just delaying things on this medical evidence or what........anyone had similar experience ?
Cheers
David

LHW99

They would undoubtedly need the medical evidence to decide. Do you have contact with whoever did the assessment? Can you chase?

Silvertabby

It's the 'fit for alternative gainful employment' bit that applies here.

You may not be able to carry on as an athletics coach, but there are many other jobs - not necessarily sports related - that you will be able to do.

atush

Some of which might be in local govt.

Did you ask to be transferred?

Sharpster

Hi was assesed & returned to work as it was mostly desk based stuff in the run up to xmass,when the schools went back & i started coaching again my ankle would just not hold up to it was not offered alternative work as there was lots of cutbacks at the time & the sports section were looking for people to take redundantcey. I suppose it boils down to what people class as " gainfull employment " as iam am 50 & never really done anything else than coach Athletics i would find it diificult to find something which i am happy doing. I am certainly not work shy & cannot stand for very long even driving jobs are a no go as i now can only drive an automatic.

martinsurrey

Sharpster wrote: »

i would find it diificult to find something which i am happy doing.

happy doesn't come into it i'm afraid, you are capable of doing a desk job (you proved that in the run up to xmas), so you can find alternative gainful employment...

ggmf

Sorry maybe I'm reading this wrong, did you just resign or did you take redundancy? You were offered a desk role but then took up coaching again, at whose request did you start coaching again?

Sharpster

Hi i was not offered a desk job when i returned it was my original job but just happened to be a very quiet time of the year because all of the children i coach were of school & i never had much physical stuff to do, i struggled through for a couple of months but when the first half term came in Feb 2017 when we had our first out of school activity sessions i found it impossible to carry out the 5 hrs per day coaching.Leading up to the Easter Holidays i was told by my line manager that i could not spend anytime in the office at all trying to do office based work when children are on holiday, however my team leader over Easter told me that he did not want me turning up to coach if i could not coach properly beacause of my Ankle ( this is where i found out the true meaning of " i don't know whether i am coming or going" )i literally was at the end of my tether.This is why i took voluntary redundantcey,i wouldn't say i was forced to leave but not being able to carry out my normal day to day duties was a major factor.I would have happily done desk based work but our council was looking for people to leave not employ them
Cheers

TARDIS

Sorry but it sounds like your employer's position is that you are physically able to do another job eg desk based, on a checkout etc which does sound the case from your posts.
Whether you are able to find such a job you enjoy is sadly not relevant to their decision.

ggmf

Have you spoken with ACAS? Maybe worth giving them a call, its free.

missile

Your employer had an obligation to find suitable alternate employment. Unfortunately, because it seems you resigned(?) voluntarily, this option may no longer be available to you.