Sick pay rights

doorwoman

TELLIT01 said:

The OP says OH questioned the lack of contact with the doctor but "that's a whole different story".  I would suggest it is very much part of the same story.   Has the OP simply not wished to see their GP or have they been unable to consult due to GP availability at any stage during the period of absence?

So I went to the GP several times and then I got referred to a consultant. I am unhappy with this consultant as the appointment in October 2020 consisted of him saying he would send me for a balance test and “don’t eat cheese and chocolate on the same day”. I waited patiently to hear about the test but had to write to him as it seemed he had forgotten to refer me for it.  

The balance tests were completed in December 2020 and they seemed to confirm his diagnosis so the audiologists said they would refer me for balance rehab. They saw me in January 2021 over video and gave me some exercises. They commented on how bad my balance was as I was visibly swaying and I told them that this was now my new normal. They suggested I should have some medication and would tell my consultant so he could send me a prescription. 

I waited but didn’t hear from him so I again waited a month and then wrote to him. He responded with a letter to my GP advising a tablet. However, when I looked up the tablet it was something I could not take due to a existing condition. So the GP gave me a different drug that he had also mentioned. They monitored me as I increased the dose until it made my symptoms lessen. 

I am not seeing my consultant again until October 2021. 

Having researched my condition there is a lot more to it than he said. He seemed to brush it all off as though it was straight forward but I have had my whole world turned upside down. He didn’t even give me any basic information. I told him I had been off work for 2 months but he said that diet normally controls this condition. 

I am struggling to do some of the most basic tasks. And I have recently gotten worse. The only thing that has improved is how I cope with it. 

uss_tish

@doorwoman I too was diagnosed with your condition but after 12 years and, very recently paying for a private MRI, think finally we have found what triggers my episodes (cervical cord/arthritis related). All I can say to you is you do learn to live with it and adapt your lifestyle and hopefully, your episodes will become more manageable and shorter. I managed to remain in work full time but it was challenging in the earlier years. 

I think as a previous poster suggests, speaking to your union or a knowledgable colleague who is familiar with your HR procedures would be best to support you in agreeing the best outcome for you. On a positive side it seems your employers are willing to consider a permanent drop in hours which not all employers would do even if you are classed as disabled.  

oh_really

uss_tish said:

It would be odd for an employer to agree to reinstate you full time and then pay you two days a week sick pay in perpetuity - I think they are suggesting your ‘flexible’ arrangement becomes a permanet three day a week contract. 

It's not in perpetuity, perhaps iv'e failed to be understood. The phased return is paid for out of outstanding sick pay. Once that is exhausted the arrangements are reviewed.

Op, are you a trade union member?

Jillanddy

doorwoman said:

I’ve just looked up the “contract” was a letter which stated the terms and conditions of my original contract were changing to 3days a week. 

I’m struggling to find my original contract. 

The "original contract" is irrelevant. The letter is now the contractual term. Unless there is a clear statement that this is temporary, then you have agreed to a change of terms to 3 days per week Your doctor knows nothing about employment law and can't tell your employer what terms they want you to have. That's why you have a doctor to tell you about your health, and a union / employment lawyer to tell you about your employment rights. 

Unless that letter stipulates that the 3 days per week is temporary and after a certain period you revert to 5 days, then you now work 3 days per week and that is what you are paid for.