I was contacted about a work issue

by my HR even though I was on long-term sick. I had to look at a problem and involve myself in conference calls but could not deal with it due to my illness.  Is my employer in breach of the new contract they gave me when they said I would not be contacted about work and can I sue them?

Replies

  • elsienelsien Forumite
    29.9K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Why do you need to sue them, which is likely to achieve very little other than cause you a lot more stress? 

    You didn’t have to involve yourself in the calls, you could have simply reminded them you were not available for work due to illness, and declined to get involved. 
    Write to them, reiterating that, that don’t take any more calls. If they want you, they can write to you. Simple. 


    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Grumpy_chapGrumpy_chap Forumite
    12K Posts
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    What was the work issue?
    I note that it was HR that contacted the OP.

    When I was off long-term sick a number of years back, the HR still made contact periodically under the wellbeing guise, and that even included a visit at one point.  I think the duty of care still requires some contact is maintained as well as the company looking to understand and manage when a return might be possible.
  • MalMonroeMalMonroe Forumite
    5.5K Posts
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    I don't think suing your employer will serve any purpose, other than to cause bad feeling all round.

    When I was working (now retired) I was off sick for a six-month period and was not contacted at home. Looking back, I realise now that I really had a great employer (higher education) because I was entitled to receive six months with full pay and six months with half pay.  

    I did - and still do - have a policy of not answering my phone though because I went through a period where I was receiving weird calls and so changed the number, bought an answerphone and put a message on there asking people to please leave a message if they wanted me to return the call. It still works well to this day.

    I didn't actually return to that job as, once I'd recovered, I applied for and was given a voluntary redundancy which helped me to go on to study for an undergraduate degree and I never looked back.

    But I was always told that if I produced the required certification from my GP then I would not be bothered at home. It's the last thing you want when you're not feeling at your best and it could even hinder your recovery.

    If your employer does ever want to carry out any 'wellbeing' checks then they should be up front and honest about it and call it what it is, rather than asking you to participate in conference calls, etc.

    I hope you are feeling better soon.
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • elsienelsien Forumite
    29.9K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    What was the work issue?
    I note that it was HR that contacted the OP.

    When I was off long-term sick a number of years back, the HR still made contact periodically under the wellbeing guise, and that even included a visit at one point.  I think the duty of care still requires some contact is maintained as well as the company looking to understand and manage when a return might be possible.
    Fair point. I was presuming it was related to other work rather than to absence procedures. Because no-one would be so silly as to sue over an employer correctly following their long term absence procedures, would they? 
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • superbigalsuperbigal Forumite
    560 Posts
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Forumite
    As you already appear to be terminating your employment via a settlement agreement, is it wise ?
  • TBagpussTBagpuss Forumite
    10.9K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    As you already appear to be terminating your employment via a settlement agreement, is it wise ?
    IF there is a settlement agreement it would nornally include provisions that you are agreeing not to make any claims against them .
    However, if they were contacting you and effectively asking you to work, then they should not have done so, equally however you could have reminded them you were signed off and unable to deal ith the matter.

    IF they contacted you about things relted to you - e.g to check in on you, clarify whether ytour were recovring / timsecale for return and soforth this is fairly normal and isn't inappropriate. 

    What would be trying to sue for? If you were not of full pay you might be able to be asked to be paid for the time spent working but Idon't think there would e anything beyond thtthatyou would be entitled to. 

    However, if you have been offered a setlement agreement then you should be getting that reviewed with an emplpyment lwyer and can ask them whether the call would make any difference. 
    All posts are my personal opinion, not formal advice Always get proper, professional advice (particularly about anything legal!)
Sign In or Register to comment.
Latest MSE News and Guides

Did you know there's an MSE app?

It's free & available on iOS & Android

MSE App

Regifting: good idea or not?

Add your two cents to the discussion

MSE Forum

Energy Price Guarantee calculator

How much you'll likely pay from April

MSE Tools