Occupational health

1ab

I have currently been signed off by my gp till the end of the month (3rd month now) with very high hypertension. My work are sending me for an another occupational health medical (my first ohp said I was not fit for work) I'm still not feeling great but have a feeling they will try and get me back to work on at least amended duties. So my question is if my gp feels I'm not fit for work but my ohp says I am what happens? Also my sick pay runs out next month and for argument sake I feel ready to go back to work but ohp say I'm unfit to go to go back to work will my work still pay me full sick pay? Since i feel i can go back but they wont let me. I currently work in a saftey critical roll also if this effects anything.

Thanks 

Undervalued

Neither really trumps the other so there is no definitive answer.

You GP is almost certainly not an occupational health specialist and only has your side of the work situation. He does however have your full medical history and is responsible for prescribing treatment. He can advise you to refrain from work or, can offer non binding suggestions as to adjustments that may make it possible for you to return to work.

The OH should know more about your work situation and can advise the employer, based on seeing you and normally hearing from your GP, what the situation is and what, if any, changes may help.

Unless you are a long term employee of the civil service, local authority, large university etc your company sick pay is almost certainly "discretionary". Schemes where you have a hard and fast entitlement are few and far between these days.

If the medical opinion is that you are fit to work but your employer won't let you then that would be a medical suspension which should be paid in full. If however the GP and OH disagree then it is more difficult!

Unless your illness qualifies as a disability then it is worth noting that the employer isn't obliged to make any adjustments at all. The could say in effect "do your full job or stay off sick" regardless of any sick pay entitlement or otherwise.