Employer home visit after 4 days sick

brilopad1969

I have been signed of work by my Dr due to work related stress (today is my 4th day - the sick note is until the 17th,thus includes 7 days of self certification) My Dr has also referred me for counselling. I have only taken 15 days off sick in the last 4 years - 10 of those days where spent recovering from an operation the other 5 due to post operation checks - all certified - I work hard, go the extra mile and get good results. They said on the phone that they just want to check I'm Ok but part of me wonders if they're trying to stitch me up in order to get themselves of the hook. (there was a serious incident at work- they haven't done anything to prevent it happening again which as left me feeling unsafe and stressed). Is it normal for an employer to request to visit you at home after just 4 days? Should I be concerned?
Thanks

marliepanda

Sounds like a lovely concerned employer

PersianCatLady

brilopad1969 wrote: »

I have been signed of work by my Dr due to work related stress (today is my 4th day - the sick note is until the 17th,thus includes 7 days of self certification) My Dr has also referred me for counselling. I have only taken 15 days off sick in the last 4 years - 10 of those days where spent recovering from an operation the other 5 due to post operation checks - all certified - I work hard, go the extra mile and get good results. They said on the phone that they just want to check I'm Ok but part of me wonders if they're trying to stitch me up in order to get themselves of the hook. (there was a serious incident at work- they haven't done anything to prevent it happening again which as left me feeling unsafe and stressed). Is it normal for an employer to request to visit you at home after just 4 days? Should I be concerned?
Thanks

As long as you are at home and haven't gone on holiday abroad or something then I don't think you have anything to worry about.

brilopad1969

Thank you, I may ask them to meet me in a neutral venue though like a cafe.

brilopad1969

thanks I appreciate your post x

Dox

brilopad1969 wrote: »

(there was a serious incident at work- they haven't done anything to prevent it happening again which as left me feeling unsafe and stressed). Is it normal for an employer to request to visit you at home after just 4 days? Should I be concerned?

A home visit after 4 days is very unusual indeed. I suspect what they really want to discuss is this 'serious incident'. That doesn't mean they are trying to stitch you up or anything else - they might just want more information but because you are off sick it would be tricky to get that from you by telephone or e-mail. If the incident is leaving you feeling as you say it does, the sooner the air is cleared the better.

tacpot12

I'd agree that a home visit after four days is very unusual, it might be that they are concerned, but it might also be a fishing expedition. I would suggest that you think whether you want to limit the discussions to your health only, or whether you are prepared to discuss the serious incident at home - it would not be unreasonable for you to say that you were too ill to discuss the incident, given that your illness is stress related and this incident is clearly stressing you. You can say that you will discuss the incident when you return to work, and reassure them that you expect to return on 17th/18th.

Marcon

tacpot12 wrote: »

I'd agree that a home visit after four days is very unusual, it might be that they are concerned, but it might also be a fishing expedition. I would suggest that you think whether you want to limit the discussions to your health only, or whether you are prepared to discuss the serious incident at home - it would not be unreasonable for you to say that you were too ill to discuss the incident, given that your illness is stress related and this incident is clearly stressing you. You can say that you will discuss the incident when you return to work, and reassure them that you expect to return on 17th/18th.

Entirely up to OP, of course - but the problem with delaying the discussion is that it leaves the incident hanging over their head for another 10 days, which may not do much for their stress levels.

Undervalued

Marcon wrote: »

Entirely up to OP, of course - but the problem with delaying the discussion is that it leaves the incident hanging over their head for another 10 days, which may not do much for their stress levels.

Indeed.

I do agree that 4 days is very quick for an employer to make a home visit. However, as has been pointed out on this forum repeatedly, being off sick is not the same thing as being too unwell to meet or discuss matters with your employer. If indeed an employee is too unwell to do that then they would be well advised to get their doctor "on side" in case it leads to further difficulties.

In the situation outlined here it would be very easy for the employer to say they were acting in the employee's best interests (whether true or not)!

They are aware there have been difficulties that may have led to a valued employee going sick so they wanted to investigate and take prompt and appropriate action. What could possibly be wrong with that?;)

brilopad1969

Thank you all I really appreciate the time you've taken to post x

sitesafe

Was the incident reported as an accident - it may be that it also needs reporting under RIDDOR if it falls into one of its categories - RIDDORs need reporting within 15 days of them happening. If you are off work for 7 days or more due to the injury or occurrence (not inc day of accident) then its RIDDOR reportable in itself so maybe that's why employer is planning on visit, as it looks like you're going to be off work for more than 7 days. http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm