Work related stress sick note

Dannistall

I have been on the sick with ulcerative colitis since July, I am also 21 weeks pregnant and have been really struggling with getting my UC under control as work keep sending me letter's to go in for meetings every 2 weeks which is making my UC worse with the stress of having to go into work, the doctor has issued me a new sick note today with my UC and work related stress on it to see if this will help me not have to go in for these meetings as I can barely leave the house never mind go into work. Even the doctor seems to think they are doing this to try and get rid of me as I will be due to go onto maternity in November anyways. I am really starting to think about handing me notice in just to stop all the stress. How do I go about telling work I can not come in for these meetings and go try and get them to leave me along to recover and concentrate on my unborn child that is also at risk due to the out of control flare and stress.

dancing_star

Union?


I have a friend with UC, I know they've been in touch with Crohns & Colitis UK in the past. Might be worth contacting them for advice

Kim_kim

Fortnightly meetings about what?
Is it about your sick levels or just work?
If it’s just work one meeting a fortnight is not much at all.

Dannistall

Apprently to discuss when I'll be coming back but I can't exactly answer that as I dont know myself and to understand my illness better, they know exactly what is going on and what it entails I have told them over the phone what it happening with treatment

Kim_kim

Dannistall wrote: »

Apprently to discuss when I'll be coming back but I can't exactly answer that as I dont know myself and to understand my illness better, they know exactly what is going on and what it entails I have told them over the phone what it happening with treatment

Do they expect you to go in fortnightly for these meetings when you are off sick?

Dannistall

Yep, they say if I don't go in it will affect my sick pay

elsien

Your sickness policy will have something in it about maintaining contact while off sick, the frequency of this, and keeping contact is good practice. Get a hold of yours if you don't already have a copy. However you may find that it's not because they're trying to get rid of you, but because they're playing safe and doing every by the book.

However if you are finding it difficult to go in, usually a request to meet elsewhere or at your home would be considered.
The GP putting work related stress on the fit note doesn't mean a huge amount as he can only go by what you are telling him which may or may not be accurate. (This is not a reflection on you, or calling you a liar, but just a statement of fact.)
What is so difficult about the meetings - where you have to travel to or how they are run? Have you specifically told your line manager/whoever you report to the impact of having to go in fortnightly? They're not going to go against the policy and cut off contact completely, but it's about having the conversation about what will make contact more manageable, e.g. once a month. You really do need to see what your policy says.

asajj

I've been in a similar position recently but was able to have these meetings over the phone rather than going in person. Did you ask if this is possible? Hope you feel better soon.

Dannistall

Stress is a big trigger for my illness and its the fact I struggle to go anywhere with out the fear of passing blood or having an accident as it has happened before

Dannistall

It's worth and try, I will give them a call and ask if they can do this, thank you

Blatchford

Your GP needs to provide a fit note stating that his advice is that you should not have to attend so many meetings. It's advice only, and they can ignore it. And to be honest, I'm not really understanding why you are resistant to meeting with them. Surely the sensible thing to do is to go see them and talk to them about your situation, especially if that enables you to claim enhanced sick pay? Is there more than you're telling here? Because work related stress and being unable to go out of the house at all seems an extreme reacting to being asked to talk to them every two weeks. Couldn't you ask them to come to you? There's a balance to be struck here, because maintaining contact is also good practice, and the way that they demonstrate that they are supporting you. 2+ months is a long time to be off sick, and they do have cause to be concerned. This situation cuts both ways - you can't expect to simply be left to be off sick for a lengthy period without them having some say about how this is managed.