Long Covid and Work

elsien

Your company should have a sickness/absence/capability procedure. Get hold of a copy of that so you are clear on what processes may be followed. 

Although your boss wants you back full time they have to balance that against the time taken to recruit and train someone new. And they also have to consider whether the illness could count as a disability under the Equality Act. 

Which doesn’t mean that they can’t eventually end your employment but they have to be a bit more careful about exploring the options. It can be a bit of a waiting game. 

mimi1234

Good points and thanks for your responses.  I will have to read up on it all.

I will do what I can but I won't be forced to do something I am not ready for.  If they fire me, so be it.  I'm not shying away from work and they know that.  I'm just not ready to be back in the office just yet.  

I will speak to the union rep as well and see what they say.

zebedee818

Hope you get better soon Mimi1234. I know how you're feeling x

mimi1234

Can't keep up anymore.  Now I have been told there is no rush for me to go back into the office.  In fact, I was told to apply for a more senior role in the team but I politely declined.  There was lots of praise "oh you came back and you have some very complex cases", "you're a stellar team member" blah blah blah.  

I wish they would make their mind up though!

mimi1234

I had an agreement with my line manager - he would go into the office and I would do all the work from home but if someone presented, he would take the basics and pass it onto me. The team manager has said it can no longer go on. 

I have been told I must go into the office once a fortnight which I am having to reluctantly do (the trains are packed, the office is manic - so much noise. I felt so awkward, it's bad at home with the ***** next door constantly slamming doors but my gosh, at work, it was next level - loud coughing and sneezing and chatting and shouting and laughing!). 

OT and the long covid clinic have said dig your heels in and don't go but I don't know if they would just kick me out for not doing what I am supposed to do.  I've been to the GP who has asked me how long I want a sick note for.  I don't know what to do.

I've made a fair bit of progress with long covid - still can't sleep, still can't walk much but the cough and taste / smell thing has all gone.  Joints still ache and still have the number 2's but a fair bit better in myself. When I was given the ultimatum to go into the office, it set me back a few steps.

I've told work I am not doing more work than the others in the team and have told them to keep sending me more cases if they want but I don't have time and won't touch them.  We have a dashboard on our computer system and can see how many cases each person in the team has. I have 16 and I am part time. Full timers have 12 or less. Some of their cases might be more complex but still, it makes no sense.

What would you do?  Any advice please?