Approaching crunch time

sheramber

You quit because you didn’t want to get a fit note to wfh, but now you want the gp to give you a fit note for wfh for new style ESA? 

Altior

sheramber said:

You quit because you didn’t want to get a fit note to wfh, but now you want the gp to give you a fit note for wfh for new style ESA? 

As per the first sentence of my most recent post, it's a long story specifically in regard to my leaving before being pushed. It's not particularly relevant to the overall situation.

My employers have a policy of no permanent working from home, they gave me an ultimatum I could not fulfil. I have this in writing. The employment was inevitably going to cease, arguably I could have played hard ball and sat it out until I was 'fired' and had misconduct/performance/capability issues on my record. I didn't want to do that.

The underlying facts haven't changed. I can still work from home, I will be seeking new employment working from home. Due to multiple health issues I can't regularly attend an office or do a physical job. Until i am lucky enough to find a new role, my household (which is just me), will have no income.

My understanding, guided somewhat by this thread, is that an individual in my position from next month is able to claim new style ESA. Claiming something from the State isn't straight forward, you don't just have to qualify (deserve it) but you also have to jump over the hurdles as they are laid out, and legitimate claims can fall over through not being aware of the exact processes, and making mistakes. It's at least 20 years since I obtained a sick note/fit note, so these processes are all new to me as the 'recipient'. And I don't like to make mistakes. 

The questions are per the bullet points outlined in my previous post.

Altior

Just for the disclosure on the thread, I have the specific demands from my employer in writing, stating that they will no longer support me wfh full time (from a specific date), and they will not be instigating another OH report. Initially, late last year they were going to initiate another OH report, I have this in writing, too. It all changed as I got the date for my op, then had time off for the op (time that I paid for myself) and then experienced all of the complications, of which I am still suffering the effect of. My opinion is that they anticipated that I would be healthy enough after the op to return to in person working, (which I was hopeful for too), however that has not been the actual outcome. This is where their stance has changed and switched on me, effectively. As there is no prospect of me being able to return to in person working. 

I obviously have bundles of documents with regard to my health issues, CT scan results, consultant acknowledgement/diagnoses of complications post surgery etc etc. The unusual element I suppose is that this has all happened through a private clinic. The operation was NHS funded, but conducted at a private clinic. So my GP has had little directly to do with it, but they have been copied into all the comms from the consultants. 

My issue is that I don't believe this is enough to support a new style ESA claim, and (I think it's rather odd, but appears to be the case), you need to have a fit note from the first date of the claim, even though I won't be employed. It does seem counter intuitive to me, and my GP was initially refusing a fit note when I was gainfully employed! 

fuzzzzy

You have a genuine health need to WFH and I probably would have played hard ball, but understand it is a stressful situation.

Good luck to you.

Altior

fuzzzzy said:

You have a genuine health need to WFH and I probably would have played hard ball, but understand it is a stressful situation.

Good luck to you.

Thanks! 

I am reasonably close to my direct report and they have conceded off the record that if it was up to them, they would support me wfh for as long as I wanted. The origin of this switch has come from a person or people much higher up the pyramid. It's not something that I would be in a position to influence. 

Altior

This is more like a journal than a chat topic now! However there's probably value in keeping it updated with my actions.

I have decided to cancel the telephone NHS GP appointment, and booked a f2f appointment with my private GP. There is some logic to this as it was the private GP who first referred me to the consultant (when I wasn't getting anywhere with my usual GP), and set the wheels in motion for my secondary healthcare. This was some time ago now, but he is familiar with my background and the conditions that were impacting me before my surgery. I will also be able to show him all the work comms, the ultimatum, and the OH report (should any of that be needed). 

It will cost me plenty of money, but the experience with the private GP was chalk and cheese compared to the NHS ones, unrushed and I will be able to discuss all of the circumstances, f2f. It will be a challenge to attend in person given my issues, but I should be able to work around a short appointment.

I have made the appointment for a few days after my last day at my current employer, so when I see my private GP, I won't be in employment. I fell like that makes most sense, too.