Ill Health Retirement - Options/Correct Procedure?

[jimmy76]

Hi All,

I did have a quick read of previous posts regarding this topic as not to duplicate to much, but I did feel I needed to ask the question in closer relation to my case.

Basically I have been off work sick now for just over a year with Type 1 Diabetes, Adult Onset Asthma and high blood pressure. All creating the perfect mix for complete exhaustion and inability.

I have had several OH referrals, which seem to go well. But nothing much really comes from them.

Last week I had an Absence Review meeting on site with a manager who basically specialises in long term sickness for the office.

It was meant to be a review of my last OH report with DuraDiamond, but he asked pretty much zero questions about anything in relation to my case.

He basically put it to me that I will be offered Ill Health Retirement and that I should accept it as the office can not accommodate me on any shift.

(I work in an office with roughly 2000 duties across all shifts and I don't believe that they have even checked to see what is available...)

I told them to let me try and come back in September on a quieter shift and his response was, 'can you lift multiple 11kg bags in your old area?' To which I replied that I obviously couldn't any more given all my conditions. So he said my position wasn't tenable anymore.

On asking how much Ill Health Retirement for would be for me, he said I would have to request it, but once that is activated it would be almost impossible to reverse the process!

Of course I would need some idea before accepting, as it might not be financially viable.

I left the meeting feeling very disheartened and bitter. I believe this manager was only brought in to host the meeting and potentially pull the trigger on me while my usual line manager was off sick having an operation. Where do I legitimately stand?

Can I request an Ill Heath Retirement quote without being forced by the company to take it?

Please advise and thanks in advance,

Jim

[jimmy76]

After typing all of that up, not only did it feel like much needed release to get off of my chest. But it also made me realise how wrong and possibly driven the meeting was...

[scotchy1962]

Firstly Jimmy are you in the union? If you are get them to deal with it, that way you hopefully won't get shafted, i only work in a sub-office of 7 duties so 2000 is bewildering. I am sure buried somewhere in there is a suitable job for you, problem is there might be somebody already on it in as bad a condition.
If you aren't in the union either citizens advice or a visit to a employment lawyer could provide you with the info you need.
Don't feel pressured by the company, it's just a tactic to try to get you off the books for as little as possible, they still have a legal obligation of "duty of care" while you are on the books.

[Valentina@1]

Is it true that RM are trying to deduct time off from the IHR package?

[Hitbox]

you HAVE to put it in writing yourself for ill health retirement process. Or HR triggers it through being off sickness leave for around 10 to 12 months plus.

no line manager, regional or union rep is allowed due to laws that state that you were pushed/forced into the decision directly.

it seems as they are implying that you are no longer physically capable of doing the jobs duties anymore sadly.

Remember, RM dont care how many times you feel exhausted after a shift or struggling getting around the house, or how many times you feel in debilitating pain due to the job at hand - they havent cared for years.

If you feel that you've exhausted every single opportunity to try to see how it goes either through adjustment to duties or OH simply saying no adjustments would help, then you choose to ignore that and then your health becomes worse upon Any time from your last OH - that would be your own fault and not RM's as they have been telling you that they cannot do anything for you under the OH referrals even under the equality act of 2010, thats if your health issues falls under it (sounds like it does tbh).

if you feel that you are capable then you run the risk of further health issues or things becoming worse.

as you've had multiple OH refferals suggesting no changes to duties would provide any type of help.

May i suggest that you put in a ill health assessment request because sadly, it's no longer capable for you to do your job safely.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, as i know working for RM for 17 years, but why stay in a job that puts you further at risk health wise and long term issues that can arise from it- it ain't worth it at all......

Also, no manager or yourself cannot see the offer until its been made- dependant upon your years of service. both payments of lump sum and PILON payment are for based upon years of service.

16 weeks basic pay for the lump sum (maxed out at 10 years for both) and 12 weeks pay for PILON which this one is taxed. It used to be 34 weeks pay until September 2023 as the agreement got bombed by RM/CWU.

if you need a estimate, find your last wage slip that has your basic week pay on it (probably a annual leave week), times that by 16 weeks then youll get a rough estimate upon what you'd come out with. Again same with the PILON payment of the weekly wage times that by 12 weeks, but with that one you'd need to workout how much tax you'd pay. remember its Rough Estimate so it isn't going to be bob on the amount.

i hope your health issues get some kind of better soon or more stable at least haha :)