Going in on light duties. Yes or No ?????

Johnny_Rad · Post by **Johnny_Rad** » 05 Feb 2008, 20:45

Hi
Thanks for all your replys. I was a bit dubious about the statement about not going on my sick record. I have already been refered to the OHS but still havent heard anything from them.
Thare are several reasons why I am a bit unsure wether I should go back. Firstly I live 16 miles from the delivery office and am unable to drive on my medication. My DOM said someone would come and pick me up so I could work for 3 hours and drop me off home afterward. I have seen this happen recently with a coleague who was picked up in the morning and no arangements at all were made for his return trip home so he was just stranded in the office untill a kind postie was willing to give him a lift home after their shift had ended, which means he has been stuck in the office for upto 8 hours some days.
I am not in serious pain at the moment but am taking some strong painkillers which are also making me sleep a lot and I definately dont think 8 hours hanging around a D/O would do me any good as just sitting in one place for more than 30 min is very uncomfortable.
I am not the type of person who likes conforntation but my DOM is trying his hardest to get me back into work.

Post by **Sparrowhawk** » 05 Feb 2008, 20:57

If you have been referred to OHS , then get your doctor to sign you off until OHS tell you to go back. Your manager shouldn't be telling you to come to work , especially as your painkillers make you drowsy ! Speak to your union rep and get it sorted out mate. Your manager would be liable if anything happened to you regarding this. He/She can't tell you to go back , only OHS can .

Throgg · Post by **Throgg** » 05 Feb 2008, 21:12

Quote:

If they claim your wages back from the third party insurers, then none of the time you're off will go against your sick record.

Yes it will. Your absence is nothing to do with what you are paid. It is do with time/days off, simple as that. Based on what Throg is saying, if you are ever in the unfortunate position to have more than a year of and then cease getting sick pay from RM, than that is the maximum time the business could use to deal with you under the process. It does not make sense does it? And to underline what a daft statement it is, new starters don't get paid for being on sick in the first year. If you have any in your office ask them how many are on a stage.

What paying you on sick does confer on the business is the right to dicate - to some degree - how Royal Mail can make you attend ATOS or interviews with your DOM as they see fit

Maybe i should clarify what i said. Although the time off will still be on your record, you will not be held accountable and will not be put on a stage warning if RM claim all your sick pay back from a 3rd party.

We had a PHG in our office who was injured when the taxi he was travelling went through a junction without stopping. Not only did he recieve compensation, but RM made a claim against the taxi drivers insurance. Our DOM explained to the PHG that no action would be taken against him because RM had recieved full compensation for the wages paid to him while off sick.

madelin4 · Post by **madelin4** » 05 Feb 2008, 21:26

Scottishlass wrote:If you have been referred to OHS , then get your doctor to sign you off until OHS tell you to go back. Your manager shouldn't be telling you to come to work , especially as your painkillers make you drowsy ! Speak to your union rep and get it sorted out mate. Your manager would be liable if anything happened to you regarding this. He/She can't tell you to go back , only OHS can .

As Far as im aware OHS cant make you go back?

Johnny_Rad · Post by **Johnny_Rad** » 05 Feb 2008, 21:34

Hi
Yes! that is what I was asking. My Union rep doesn't seem to know anything about this as when I spoke to him he said I would be on a stage 1 when I got back to work. Will Have to see if I can get something in writing.

Cheers.

madelin4 · Post by **madelin4** » 05 Feb 2008, 21:39

Johnny_Rad wrote:Hi
Yes! that is what I was asking. My Union rep doesn't seem to know anything about this as when I spoke to him he said I would be on a stage 1 when I got back to work. Will Have to see if I can get something in writing.

Cheers.

Yea if you are going to get a stage as i will also one needs to be feeling better b4 going back, if OHS say you are and your doctor says your not and gives you a line. If you go back and fall ill as not ready to go back and go out again thats another stage!!! OHS will send you back even if they know you are not ready.

Johnny_Rad · Post by **Johnny_Rad** » 05 Feb 2008, 21:58

Hi
Sorry! I was refering to the post about not getting put on a stage if RM claim their losses off my 3rd party insurance. My rep doesnt seem to know anything about this.
I have also just remembered that a coleague was sacked when he reached a stage 3 after a similar car accident that was not his fault. So I am wondering how he was given a stage if they would of been able to claim this money back and avoid this disciplinary. The Union were unable to do anything even when he appealed.

dr maturin · Post by **dr maturin** » 06 Feb 2008, 12:33

Throgg wrote:
Quote:

We had a PHG in our office who was injured when the taxi he was travelling went through a junction without stopping. Not only did he recieve compensation, but RM made a claim against the taxi drivers insurance. Our DOM explained to the PHG that no action would be taken against him because RM had recieved full compensation for the wages paid to him while off sick.

Throg,

Nothing to do with business policy. I think you will find the DOM was using his own standards, i.e what he saw as acceptable reasons not to issue, to decide on the outcome.

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 06 Feb 2008, 14:54

dr maturin wrote:
Throgg wrote:
Quote:

We had a PHG in our office who was injured when the taxi he was traveling went through a junction without stopping. Not only did he receive compensation, but RM made a claim against the taxi drivers insurance. Our DOM explained to the PHG that no action would be taken against him because RM had received full compensation for the wages paid to him while off sick.
Throg,

Nothing to do with business policy. I think you will find the DOM was using his own standards, i.e what he saw as acceptable reasons not to issue, to decide on the outcome.

Common sense and discretion used to be used sometimes , happened with a lad who damaged his foot in a night club , RM didn't have a issue with paying his wages whilst sick as the club owners or most probably their insurers paid his wages .

Now there would be mass panic , the blame game , everything turning into a 3 part melodrama , RM probably cocking things up , reps having to point this out and dealing with the mess , RM in a Tribunal and solicitors who'd try and get David Blunkett a driving licence trying to white wash everything . If that doesn't work Area managers blame Junior Managers for following their orders .

God only knows how much that would cost but L&C and their lackies are always right and know best .

As for being drowsy with painkillers there's the little matter of H&S and Drug & Alcohol policy enforceable in Tribunal even if you've only been there six weeks . HSE would be interested ?

Freaking Wonderful ! :lfo :lfo