Work Absence issue

[wendy]

Hi

Firstly would like to thank everyone for support and kindness since joining the site

Secondly, I am having a lot of problems with my boss at work, I have taken 4 weeks off so far with an additional 6 weeks covered by a sick note, my boss has made it clear he does not want me to be off for the full 6 weeks and has written to me Today to ask to come to my home to meet me next week and also see my medical file to check what my 'real' illness is as he can not relate to anxitety related absence

I am finding this difficult to cope with an on top of my panic attacks and anxiety disorder syptoms am now getting a phobia about answering my phone incase it is him, this is making work feel like a place I never want to return too and now know he will want to get rid of me now.

I feel I just need a break from him (work pressure contributed to this latest attack) to start recovery

Has anyone got any advise on how I handle this or what my legal rights are? or anyone experinced the same

I would like to seek advise however takes me all my strenght to make it too the doctors let alone get to CAB or Solicitors, if I loose my job over this dont know how I will cope

Any support of advise would be appreciated

Thanks

Wendy

[petegms]

im sorry wendy your going through this hard time. I had to quit my job a couple months ago due to anxiety problems. Is it a really good job and would you be able to get another job like it, if you do end up not being able to go back? About the phone, i had the same exact problem with my boss at work! I basically let him know, i was making my anxiety worse by coming in and it would affect me further in my life if i didnt do something about it now. Let him know exactly how you feel and hopefully he isnt a ass**** about it [xx(]

hopefully everything works out! <3

[Elle-Kay]

I'm pretty sure you aren't allowed to enter your work premises when off on a sick note, but I don't know about your boss visiting you. If I was in your situation, I would be inclined to write back (if you can't ring), and say thanks for his offer, but you are unwell, and it would make you additionally uncomfortable to have him visit your home at this time.

There are certainly procedures which employers have to follow with regard to bringing up a grievance with an employee, and also plenty of information on work related stress out there for your boss to read.

You might try looking at:
http://www.acas.gov.uk/ (who should have info on your rights as an employee)
and
http://www.hse.gov.uk/ (who should have some info on work-related illness)

Also remember that your boss can under no circumstances access your medical records without your prior, written consent, and there are plenty of steps to take before it gets to the stage where your employer needs to see your medical files (for example, if anyone is off for a long period, they may be asked to attend a "back to work" medical review with an independent GP to assess what things your employer could put into place to help you when you return to work, but still, don't worry about this yet! :))

Good luck!
Leah xx

--- Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.

[tara]

Hi Wendy, what a cheek of your employer !! He should only visit your home if he/she is truely worried about your health and wellbeing, not to intimidate you, thats what it seems to me. If you have a sick note by your doctor there is no reason why you shouldn't stay off work, and your allowed to be off work on a sick note for up too 22 weeks, after this your employment can be ended, anything up to that i'm sure your employer has to pay you ssp, after this it go's to the social security and they pay you. Sounds like he's a bit of a bully, tel him no thanks to the visit you have many doctors appointments to attend.

[andrew]

hi wendy,

i have been in a similar situation - except i didn't have a problem dealing with my work.

anyway my understanding of this is - your employer can ask to see you, either at your home or a location used by your employers. the only purpose of this visit is in the guise of 'your welfare', to see how you are progressing and whether there is anything they can do to assist your return to work.

are you in a trade union? they would know your rights in this situation and you would be entitled to a union rep at this meeting. and this is your house, i'd invite a friend just to back you up if it gets too much.

i dont know what kind of a company you work for, but your manager should be accompanied by someone from human resources / personnel dept. im not sure what you mean by 'he has made it clear that he doesnt want me off the full 6 weeks' but if he is stressing you about returning to work when you are signed off sick, inform your Doctor and complain to your employer over his head. and also if you are stressed at the thought of 'seeing him' refuse to, just say you'd be willing to see someone else. its best to try and deal with this wendy in the way that is the least stressful, rather than ignore it.

and like leah said about your medical records. they can only be seen with your permission and by medical professionals employed by your company with the view of 'helping your return to work' you do need to try and stay positive ok, they want to know that you can recover and are gonna return to work.

hope this helps, try and stay positive - they might pay for cbt for you .. tc andrew

[Tomimo]

I don't think your employer has any right to come and see you but I am not sure. Maybe you could phone the CAB or look online to see your rights.

Maybe your doctor would be able to advise you.

I hope that you manage to get it sorted out.

Annie x

[Meg]

Your employer can request a meeting at a convenient time and place to you to discuss how you are and offer support.

They can request from you to approach your GP for a letter about possible prognosis or they can eventually request you see an independent doctor BUT they may not question your sick note or harrass you by phone.

Communication should be by letter unless you have given permission for phone contact. The communication should be via the HR and not just with your manager.

You have rights to privacy and protected recovery time


Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

[Robertc160882]

Hi Wendy,

I used to work for a occupational health company so I’m pretty much clued up on what s right and what isn’t. Firstly your employer has the right to request to come to your home for a discussion and this is quite common. What he doesn’t have right to is your medical file this is because of various acts set up to assist people like yourself.

It is right to say that he can ask you speak to a specialist (occupational health doctor ) but you have the right to decline this if you feel you are not up to it. He can also right to your GP for a report but your GP can’t talk about specifics or medical history. Your are also entitled to view a copy of the report before it goes to your employer and you can ask for things to be added or taken out or for it not to go at all.

I feel it may be good for you to get your doctor/gp to write to them as this might give you some more support. Just remember every employer by law has a duty of care to make sure you are well and safe wither if this is caused by work. I imagine he/she is probably more worried about claims for stress rather than your health by the sound of it.

If you have any other questions let me know I know a lot of doctors etc through my old work so if I don’t know I can find out. Remember you don’t need to leave your house for help you can do a lot of it over the phone through various helpline do let me know if you need some numbers.

Robert

[wendy]

Dear All

Thank you for all your messages related to this, I have made my appointment for next Wednesday and will be taking on board all adivse

Robert - Any numbers would be a great help please, Thank u

Wendy x

[Robertc160882]

Hi Wendy,

I suggest you try http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacehealth/index.htm and get the number and give them a call.

Robert