Where do I stand, bad back

kiawill

Hi guys 

so I work full time with a perm contract in a warehouse.
I have been signed off twice in last 6 months with bad back, 2 weeks in total. The doctor gave me a doctors note.

it seems to be on going.

So today at work I was picking slow and my manager said I was under performing. I said I have a bad back. I also said that I mentioned this to a manager yesterday and they gave me lighter work. This lighter work I carried out needs to be carried out daily by people. It’s not just for when you have a bad back etc.

Anyway, I asked if I could do this lighter work and they said no, and if im not fit for work I need to go home.

so I left.
I am going to get my GP to sign me
off for a few days but Is there something the doctor can put on my note to say it’s ongoing?

Are my work able to refuse me to do the lighter stuff?

Thanks 

Marcon

kiawill said:

Hi guys 

so I work full time with a perm contract in a warehouse.
I have been signed off twice in last 6 months with bad back, 2 weeks in total. The doctor gave me a doctors note.

it seems to be on going.

So today at work I was picking slow and my manager said I was under performing. I said I have a bad back. I also said that I mentioned this to a manager yesterday and they gave me lighter work. This lighter work I carried out needs to be carried out daily by people. It’s not just for when you have a bad back etc.

Anyway, I asked if I could do this lighter work and they said no, and if im not fit for work I need to go home.

so I left.
I am going to get my GP to sign me
off for a few days but Is there something the doctor can put on my note to say it’s ongoing?

Are my work able to refuse me to do the lighter stuff?

Thanks 

Probably yes, depending on your conditions of employment. Sounds as if your employer is concerned that you could make your condition worse and then try to hold them responsible. That many not be true of you, but remember that many employees do just that.

kiawill

Marcon said:

kiawill said:

Hi guys 

so I work full time with a perm contract in a warehouse.
I have been signed off twice in last 6 months with bad back, 2 weeks in total. The doctor gave me a doctors note.

it seems to be on going.

So today at work I was picking slow and my manager said I was under performing. I said I have a bad back. I also said that I mentioned this to a manager yesterday and they gave me lighter work. This lighter work I carried out needs to be carried out daily by people. It’s not just for when you have a bad back etc.

Anyway, I asked if I could do this lighter work and they said no, and if im not fit for work I need to go home.

so I left.
I am going to get my GP to sign me
off for a few days but Is there something the doctor can put on my note to say it’s ongoing?

Are my work able to refuse me to do the lighter stuff?

Thanks 

Probably yes, depending on your conditions of employment. Sounds as if your employer is concerned that you could make your condition worse and then try to hold them responsible. That many not be true of you, but remember that many employees do just that.

Shall I get my doctor to write anything different on my note?

KatrinaWaves

kiawill said:

Marcon said:

kiawill said:

Hi guys 

so I work full time with a perm contract in a warehouse.
I have been signed off twice in last 6 months with bad back, 2 weeks in total. The doctor gave me a doctors note.

it seems to be on going.

So today at work I was picking slow and my manager said I was under performing. I said I have a bad back. I also said that I mentioned this to a manager yesterday and they gave me lighter work. This lighter work I carried out needs to be carried out daily by people. It’s not just for when you have a bad back etc.

Anyway, I asked if I could do this lighter work and they said no, and if im not fit for work I need to go home.

so I left.
I am going to get my GP to sign me
off for a few days but Is there something the doctor can put on my note to say it’s ongoing?

Are my work able to refuse me to do the lighter stuff?

Thanks 

Probably yes, depending on your conditions of employment. Sounds as if your employer is concerned that you could make your condition worse and then try to hold them responsible. That many not be true of you, but remember that many employees do just that.

Shall I get my doctor to write anything different on my note?

Doctors cannot make requirements of employers to give you light duties. You’re either fit got your job, or not. 

oh_really

Why are you not asking your GP to refer for diagnostic imaging?
In interim period can you request a referral to occupational health?

TELLIT01

A doctor can suggest that lighter work may help recovery, but the employer is not bound to that guidance.  They can state you either need to be able to do your normal job, or be signed off until you can.

lincroft1710

An excessive amount of sick leave can lead to a disciplinary.

nicechap

kiawill said:

Hi guys 

so I work full time with a perm contract in a warehouse.
I have been signed off twice in last 6 months with bad back, 2 weeks in total. The doctor gave me a doctors note.

it seems to be on going.

So today at work I was picking slow and my manager said I was under performing. I said I have a bad back. I also said that I mentioned this to a manager yesterday and they gave me lighter work. This lighter work I carried out needs to be carried out daily by people. It’s not just for when you have a bad back etc.

Anyway, I asked if I could do this lighter work and they said no, and if im not fit for work I need to go home.

so I left.
I am going to get my GP to sign me
off for a few days but Is there something the doctor can put on my note to say it’s ongoing?

Are my work able to refuse me to do the lighter stuff?

Thanks 

With 3 periods of sick within 6 months I'd be more concerned about triggering your employers absence policy.  Whatever the GP chooses to write on the fit note, I'd suggest asking your employer refers you to occupational health (as its them that could recommend a period of time on light duties as part of a return to working normally). 

However, if you have recurrent back injury, warehouse work may not be suitable for you long term

alex_163163

As a side question - have you tried any treatment for your back other than getting a drs note? I find the GP can’t really do anything for a bad back, but a visit to a chiropractor or osteopath could do wonders for you.
It does for me when I have a bad back - I couldn’t even put my own shoes on a few weeks ago after hurting my back carrying a heavy box. But a visit to the osteopath 2 days later had me back to normal after a couple of days.

jackieblack

alex_163163 said:

As a side question - have you tried any treatment for your back other than getting a drs note? I find the GP can’t really do anything for a bad back, but a visit to a chiropractor or osteopath could do wonders for you.
It does for me when I have a bad back - I couldn’t even put my own shoes on a few weeks ago after hurting my back carrying a heavy box. But a visit to the osteopath 2 days later had me back to normal after a couple of days.

This really depends on what the ‘back problem’ is.
My longterm back issue is kept at bay by daily exercises (given to me by hospital physiotherapist), but I was told by my GP not to visit a chiropractor or osteopath as anything they would/could do would make the issue worse.

MovingForwards

Ask work for an occupational health referral.

Ask your Dr to make recommendations on the fit note eg light duties for X time.

See a physio / chiropractor and try to resolve whatever the issue is, sooner you get help the sooner you potentially recover. The longer you leave it, potentially the more harm you will do to yourself.

What is wrong with your back, has the Dr given any official diagnosis?