Returning to work with unknown recovery period

Own_Worst_Enermy

Hi,

I work for a company who has made work from home less able since January 23.
They also use Bradford scoring system and your sickness is used to rank you as part of overall stats.

I’ve had an non-routine operation with my details ending up recorded on the spinal register.

I’ve been co operating as best I can for employer, up for them coming to see me in hospital even, will do anything it takes. The contract of employment signed in September 2022 allows for them to contact the GP anytime.

I had started suffering early December but managed to work though to early January when I did the self cert for a week and then GP signed me off two weeks, inside those 2 weeks I ended up in hospital unexpectedly.

My fitnote ran out 26/01/23 with no fit note in place would I be classed as AWOL if company wanted to get ever so funny about it?

I did speak to Employer by phone 24/01/23 who said please get us another fit note to cover you; like they were not accepting another fit note just happens on discharge.

Now my GP refuses to write one as under hospital care. 23/01 conversation - Adding hospital will only need write one on discharge?

I was sobbing yesterday (as feel I can lose my job so easily when the nurse said I can get one soonest - is this correct?

I have a condition information booklet which says driving only possible if safe to do so 2-4 weeks into post hospital recovery and then only for 20 minutes building up - the place I work is longer away.

Return to work can be quicker for office workers (which I believe I am classed as, answering emails requiring parcel investigations and making outbound calls, occasional seeing to public and finding parcels) hot desk located upstairs with access to lift restricted which makes us all take stairs. I’ve joined a support group for the condition and posts are coming forward people have been 10 weeks in recovery so I’m just getting really worried my job is lost with my Employer.

I also don’t know if I should share the booklet with employer as I’m really confused if I should be trying to commit to date of return at this point?.

I know my Manager may not be happy as someone went on sick with fit note for mental health and job seeked to leave and then left company right in it but honestly I’m not in a position anymore to job seek. I’m more making home adaptions and accepting I may have a carer for short term to get back some independence.

Sorry so long, approaching 9th day now in hospital and hoping it will end soon.
Anyone been in hospital expectedly requiring fit note situation?

Thanks in advance.

Own_Worst_Enermy

I have looked back at old threads with a most recent where someone agreed to see the company OH would it be best to do this? (of course providing they advise I can return).

Diamandis

I don't know why the hospital will only write a note on discharge, I've been in hospital dozens of times and they always provided fit notes when I needed them. Ask a nurse if there's another doctor you could discuss this with.

Undervalued

Own_Worst_Enermy said:

Hi,

I work for a company who has made work from home less able since January 23.
They also use Bradford scoring system and your sickness is used to rank you as part of overall stats.

I’ve had an non-routine operation with my details ending up recorded on the spinal register.

I’ve been co operating as best I can for employer, up for them coming to see me in hospital even, will do anything it takes. The contract of employment signed in September 2022 allows for them to contact the GP anytime.

I had started suffering early December but managed to work though to early January when I did the self cert for a week and then GP signed me off two weeks, inside those 2 weeks I ended up in hospital unexpectedly.

My fitnote ran out 26/01/23 with no fit note in place would I be classed as AWOL if company wanted to get ever so funny about it?

I did speak to Employer by phone 24/01/23 who said please get us another fit note to cover you; like they were not accepting another fit note just happens on discharge.

Now my GP refuses to write one as under hospital care. 23/01 conversation - Adding hospital will only need write one on discharge?

I was sobbing yesterday (as feel I can lose my job so easily when the nurse said I can get one soonest - is this correct?

I have a condition information booklet which says driving only possible if safe to do so 2-4 weeks into post hospital recovery and then only for 20 minutes building up - the place I work is longer away.

Return to work can be quicker for office workers (which I believe I am classed as, answering emails requiring parcel investigations and making outbound calls, occasional seeing to public and finding parcels) hot desk located upstairs with access to lift restricted which makes us all take stairs. I’ve joined a support group for the condition and posts are coming forward people have been 10 weeks in recovery so I’m just getting really worried my job is lost with my Employer.

I also don’t know if I should share the booklet with employer as I’m really confused if I should be trying to commit to date of return at this point?.

I know my Manager may not be happy as someone went on sick with fit note for mental health and job seeked to leave and then left company right in it but honestly I’m not in a position anymore to job seek. I’m more making home adaptions and accepting I may have a carer for short term to get back some independence.

Sorry so long, approaching 9th day now in hospital and hoping it will end soon.
Anyone been in hospital expectedly requiring fit note situation?

Thanks in advance.

With less than two years service it is basically up to the employer how much flexibility they want to show.

Most likely they will follow their normal procedures although it is very unlikely there is a hard and fast contractual requirement for them to do so. So the hard truth is that they could simply terminate your employment just by giving the greater of your contractual notice or the statutory default of one week. However that is not to say they will.

My suggestion would be to try and speak to (or email) somebody higher in the company and explain the situation and that you are doing everything you can to try and be fit to return as soon as possible.

As has been suggested by the previous poster, ask a different or more senior doctor explaining that work are being "difficult" and you urgently need something in writing.

Own_Worst_Enermy

Thank you for the help.

My Manager in all fairness has sounded concerned with my parents (I also emailed the Manager early hours bombarding them with what operation was for) the Manager has said chill I can work at home temporarily once better, they intend to call me tomorrow so I can’t ask better then that.

I really appreciate your help and won’t delete this in case it helps others in future.

Own_Worst_Enermy

Diamandis said:

I don't know why the hospital will only write a note on discharge, I've been in hospital dozens of times and they always provided fit notes when I needed them. Ask a nurse if there's another doctor you could discuss this with.

Me neither, I am really worried come date of discharge the Consultant decides not to write one as he had already decided I’d a non physical job anyway prior to operating.

To be honest I found it hell getting a fitnote out of the GP when he prescribed Co codamol and Amitriptyline (apols for wrong spelling) to begin with but apparently make everyone do self cert nowadays I was told. 

Really know how back pain gets treated 2nd rate. I’m just grumpy as had to pay for the brand new recliner control bed. I understand people can get PIP so let me go and work my grumpiness on that.

Undervalued

Own_Worst_Enermy said:

Diamandis said:

I don't know why the hospital will only write a note on discharge, I've been in hospital dozens of times and they always provided fit notes when I needed them. Ask a nurse if there's another doctor you could discuss this with.

Me neither, I am really worried come date of discharge the Consultant decides not to write one as he had already decided I’d a non physical job anyway prior to operating.

To be honest I found it hell getting a fitnote out of the GP when he prescribed Co codamol and Amitriptyline (apols for wrong spelling) to begin with but apparently make everyone do self cert nowadays I was told. 

Really know how back pain gets treated 2nd rate. I’m just grumpy as had to pay for the brand new recliner control bed. I understand people can get PIP so let me go and work my grumpiness on that.

The GP is only obliged to do what the NHS contract requires. As I understand it that is to provide a "fit" note after the first seven day of absence. If your employer wants one sooner then that is a private (non NHS) job and can be charged for. MY GP has a price list for such things although to be fair they do waive the charge in some situations.

A friends GP simply won't do, even for a fee, anything outside of the NHS duties. So that can give a bit of an impasse if the employer insists on one. There are private GP services in most larger towns but generally £80 to £120 per visit.

Own_Worst_Enermy

Cool, thank you for the information. It’s just disheartening when you hear people say well I/you’ve got signed off immediately knowing that isn’t the case in that you’ve had to go out of your way to specifically ask for a fit note at the 8th day. You are totally left making the decision now that you are not capable to work. But I appreciate rules have changed vastly over the last couple of years from what I can make out and really shouldn’t bother me. It is what it is.

I did at one point think about consulting the likes of Push Doctor who are private rather then taking up yet more of a GP’s time in addition, but then I did also remember a thread/query on here were it wasn’t acceptable to the employer. (pre covid)