Help! does anyone know if my Manager is right

Mistyang

Just to update you all on todays meeting with Occ Health. I rang the Surgery this morning and my Doctor was not starting until 11am and I had to be at Occ Health at 11.45 therefore I have after all not seen my GP.

This new Occ Health Doctor was much much better than the first one I saw (who did not listen to me), he made eye contact and let me talk. I told him the whole situation and told him I felt that I was being bullied, I also told him that I do want to return to work in April however I would be wishing to discuss reducing my hours on a permanent basis with my employers. ( I work full time in two posts)
He was good and felt much happier at the outcome, he is writing his report to them stating that I am not fit to work as yet however should be able to start back in April. He also recommended phased back to work which I already knew about and is recommending my employer talks to me about my hours and measures which can be put in place at the office to reduce stress risk.
I feel lots better now - mainly due to the fact that there is nothing the Manager can do now to make me go back on Tuesday after Easter. I feel more confident and happy that she is being over ruled by Occ. Health.

Many thanks for all your support and kindness. Oh and I am going to join the Union now regardless as you never ever know with health what is round the corner. A few years back I ended up with serious kidney problems and had to have one removed so I know only too well, to make the most of life and to put measures in place for any unforseen future illnesses, in this case I wish I had been in the Union as I feel their backing would have been invaluable.
Oh well thank heavens for wonderful people on mse. Thank you Ang :T

dotchas

Glad it all went well today,it makes a difference when you feel someone is listening to you.
Joining a union is a good idea for the future.
All the best,
Dot

Mistyang

dotchas wrote: »

Glad it all went well today,it makes a difference when you feel someone is listening to you.
Joining a union is a good idea for the future.
All the best,
Dot

thanks Dot hun.....and I hope you enjoy your leave before you go back to work and get all your issues resolved. Heres wishing you better health for the future. Ang xx

Soubrette

Ang, definitely join a union. In the part of the NHS that I used to work, occupational health was seen as 'guidelines' that need not be followed and if you had more than 2 incidents of sick leave of more than half a day within 1 rolling year - you would be put on a disciplinary.

I think by the time I left over 3/4 of the staff were on disciplinary :rolleyes:

Terrible employers and very poor managers! Hope it's better where you are

Sou

Mistyang

Hi Sou
No its not any better where I work and I intend ringing the Union Rep tomorrow, well before I go back to work with the intention of joining the Union. thanks Ang x

tanith

Mistyang wrote: »

Hi Sou
No its not any better where I work and I intend ringing the Union Rep tomorrow, well before I go back to work with the intention of joining the Union. thanks Ang x

I have followed the thread with interest.. I used to work in NHS and had to take ill-health retirement a year ago with the help of Unison.. Just wanted to say that not all 'local' reps are skilled in dealing with complex issues . We got a senior officer involved and he was brilliant... your rep should offer you the services of someone senior if they feel your case is complicated..

tote_alley_stressed

Hi, sorry to hear about your plight only wish I'd replied earlier. My God this is so happening to me at the moment. I actually had an accident at work 18 months ago whilst helping a 90 year old and the amount of support I have had from management, HR etc has been attrocious. I have had all the meetings pending the last one in 2 months time where they are going to 'pension me off' due to illness. I have damaged my shoulder but because I hurt my back hundreds of years ago also whilst working for the NHS I am no longer employable - thanks very much.
I am 45 and now on the scrap heap. My GP is disgusted and the Unions have not helped all that much either. I have accepted my 'disability' restricts my previous role but it doesn't stop me caring and I so loved my job. I am in the process of submitting a grievance but was contacted today suggesting I apply for a job 18 miles away and a drop in banding sitting on a desk. This wouldn't be feasible or practical but what other choices do I have.
Sorry if I am rambling but I really appreciate all the support I ever get from this site. Apologies if I don't answer back straight away as I have to leave the computer at the moment but please know I am there for you too.

candygirl

Ang I have been in a very similar situation myself, but the union were absolutely brill and made sure that under no circumstances should I go back to work until I was fully fit to do so.
Sadly both teaching and the NHS managers, see us merely as numbers that enable them to fulfill their targets, and not as people with real issues and problems:mad:
I kept a log of all the incidents, meetings, time off, occ health meeting, docs appointments etc, and it came in really useful to show the union so they could help me;) .
If you need a phased return then demand it, and I hope things improve with Bri and you Mum, they must come before any job hun
Btw I no longer work at the hell hole, I resigned in the end, so I am a lot less stressed and have a much better life now, even without the job security;)

Mistyang

Thank you so much for the recent replies.

Tanith I am so sorry to hear the Union were not helpful initially however it was encouaging to read that the Senior rep was brilliant. I for sure need to join as you just dont know what fate has in store for you. hugs Ang x

Tote alley stressed, awwww bless you hun. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and so sorry to hear you are going through this too with the NHS. Its crazy, mad, we work for Doctors, we work for the NHS, we are patients and treated like muck by our Management. It stinks. Sending you big hugs and hope things turn out ok for you hun. Hugs Ang xxx

Mistyang

Candy hun I keep a diary with all the meetings, Docts appts Occ Health and what was said and when. I keep all the letters in a folder...Its mad isnt it.

If I could find a nice little job somewhere else with no stress, I would go like a shot...I am looking...but one look at my recent sickness absence and any future employer might run a mile eh?

I am going back on a phased staging...but hope to cut my hours anyway. Like I explained to the Occ. Health Doctor today, I need some quality time with my family, God willing they will be with me a lot longer, but you never know, and it scares the crap out of me which adds to my stress. I need to enjoy whatever time I can with both my Mum and Bri....they are my world. Work now is just a means to an end, theres no pleasure in it any more.

Thanks for posting Candy. Hugsss Ang xx