Employer contacting my GP

thenap80

So I had a fit note issued by my GP as I had problems with a joint and movement issues. The first note gave me one week off. (after the first week already that was self certificated). A follow up appt. y'day gave me an extra two weeks off. So three Certified weeks in total.Told my boss that I'd be back after that (in two weeks from now)

He has said I need to ask the doctor what capabilities I have to perform my job and also that he (my boss) needs my GP details so that he can contact them and ask how functional I am (which is what he asked me to ask anyway!) and whether I need physio through work.

I have read online that an employer can ask to contact my GP but the way she has asked me it is like I don't have a choice! And I'm only off for one month total. Is that normal for GPs to be contacted so soon?? If at all, when you have a Not Fit To Work note.

Undervalued

thenap80 wrote: »

So I had a fit note issued by my GP as I had problems with a joint and movement issues. The first note gave me one week off. (after the first week already that was self certificated). A follow up appt. y'day gave me an extra two weeks off. So three Certified weeks in total.Told my boss that I'd be back after that (in two weeks from now)

He has said I need to ask the doctor what capabilities I have to perform my job and also that he (my boss) needs my GP details so that he can contact them and ask how functional I am (which is what he asked me to ask anyway!) and whether I need physio through work.

I have read online that an employer can ask to contact my GP but the way she has asked me it is like I don't have a choice! And I'm only off for one month total. Is that normal for GPs to be contacted so soon?? If at all, when you have a Not Fit To Work note.

Well you can refuse and your GP will not provide them with any information without your permission.

However, if you get company sick pay (over and above SSP) you may well find that the company refuse to pay that without the medical information they require.

You may well also find that there is a clause in your employee handbook or contract requiring you to comply with reasonable requests for medical information etc. In which case you have already agreed and may be in breach of contract if you now refuse.

If you have been employed for less than two years you of course have no protection from unfair dismissal.

I am not really sure why you would wish to refuse this request? if the firm will provide a physio at their expense is that not better than waiting in the NHS queue?

ohreally

Suggest to your employer they engage an occupational health professional to provide this information.

TELLIT01

If it's anything like our GP's practice, you will probably be retired, let alone recovered, by the time they reply to your employer. Your employer does have the right to get an Occupational Health assessment done and also to look into workplace adjustments which could get you back to work sooner.

If you simply give verbal agreement to your employer to contact your GP, it's unlikely that the GP will give them any information anyway. The GP should obtain your permission before releasing your information, and will generally want the request for information in writing.

General_Grant

"(my boss) needs my GP details so that he can contact them"

If you have provided a Sick/Fit Note then the employer already has contact details for your GP.

jonnygee2

And I'm only off for one month total. Is that normal for GPs to be contacted so soon??

I'm not sure what you mean by 'soon' - you've asked for a month off work is a very significant absence. It also looks like a problem that could be ongoing.

Undervalued is right - refusing the request would normally be a bad idea. You could lose sick pay, be dismissed, and even if you don't it's likely to damage the relationship between you and your employer and make them suspicious of whats going on.

It seems like a reasonable request coming from someone looking to help. This could be ongoing or reoccur, and if you are absent too much you could lose your job. So it makes sense to work together with your employer on this one.

thenap80

General_Grant wrote: »

"(my boss) needs my GP details so that he can contact them"

If you have provided a Sick/Fit Note then the employer already has contact details for your GP.

Good point! I'll just give him that and he can contact them. Then they will contact me I guess asking if I consent. By that time I will be back at work and fighting fit anyway!

thenap80

I know its four weeks off work in total but such is life. I know my body better than my doctor and I know my joint needs to heal - as much rest as possible I was told! So in grand scheme of things, a month off is justified and I just felt it was a bit premature to start talking about getting me back to work. A bit of compassion for my healing time would have been nice!

TELLIT01

thenap80 wrote: »

I know its four weeks off work in total but such is life. I know my body better than my doctor and I know my joint needs to heal - as much rest as possible I was told! So in grand scheme of things, a month off is justified and I just felt it was a bit premature to start talking about getting me back to work. A bit of compassion for my healing time would have been nice!

If your employer is able to provide alternative work, which won't delay recovery from the joint injury, it is potentially in their best interest to have you back at work. Also, if you have had problems with this injury before, and from your comment about knowing how long your joint takes to heal that seems likely, your employer may want to get OH involved to try to avoid it happening again. That's not unreasonable as they have costs involved if you are off sick.

Undervalued

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If your employer is able to provide alternative work, which won't delay recovery from the joint injury, it is potentially in their best interest to have you back at work. Also, if you have had problems with this injury before, and from your comment about knowing how long your joint takes to heal that seems likely, your employer may want to get OH involved to try to avoid it happening again. That's not unreasonable as they have costs involved if you are off sick.

Indeed.

Many people don't realise that it is the employer who meets the cost of SSP, not the government. The days when smaller employers could claim it back (indirectly) are long gone.

jonnygee2

Fantastic to hear you are so in touch with your body.

You were asking for employment advice though, and the advice is that if you want to stay employed its best to let your employer speak to your GP.