Long term sick after AOD

[mickram]

Hi guys, i need some advice please. I had an accident on duty way back in January & injured my back & am still off (dodgy Magnum shoes). I did actually return to work after 12 weeks, RM having authorised 4 sessions of physio, but when i returned i was put on a duty ive never been on before (im a travelling relief) at a village i barely know. My physio had stated that i was still 20% away from full recovery but i was still expected to do a full duty, unloading, sorting, lifting, prepping & delivery, with no suggestion of help or coming back to light duties. I was told that 2 other people at that office had been off long term sick but had been eased back to work with light duties and they were shocked to find i had come straight back to a full duty. With my injuries being to my back, within 15 minutes of being there i was in extreme pain again & rang my manager to ask for help but he said no help was available & could i carry on and see what i could do. I subsequently carried on & prepped the walk up but then rang him to say i could not continue & was abandoning the duty. I then went back to my GP who has since signed me off for 2 consecutive 4 week periods, & i have also had to go for a DWPP interview to see if i could get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. I have been awarded that benefit & the award states that i am 17% disabled & considered so until February 2010, to be reviewed. Now, if you have managed to read this far i have a couple of questions, 1. Should i have been expected to return on a full duty, & 2. When i do finally return to work, bearing in mind it was an AOD, can they give me a stage 1 warning?
Oh and i have also been asked to go along to a local delivery office to see one of my managers tommorow to discuss my present condition. Is this normal practice because i feel im being pressured, when in all honesty i beleive i would have been back at work & probably fully fit now if i had returned on lighter duties & built up to full speed.
Any help or advice will be gratefully received.
Thanks
Mick

[General Mannerheim]

Did you deal with Atos the occupational health people?
Did you get a plan of rehab off them or discuss a rehab plan with a manager on your return to work bullshite interview?
If not then RM will say that you was fit to carry out your duty.In my opinion you shouldn`t have been expected to return to work as advised off your physio but RM and Atos will say different.
If it was an AOD then it shouldn`t be included but there again it wouldn`t surprise me if they try and issue a stage 1.
Yes it is `normal` practise for them to send for you to explain your illness as they are only showing there concern for you. It`s so the Dom or lino can play Dr Kildare and cure you so you will be back quicker really.

[Broxi51]

Did you deal with Atos the occupational health people?
Did you get a plan of rehab off them or discuss a rehab plan with a manager on your return to work bullshite interview?
If not then RM will say that you was fit to carry out your duty.In my opinion you shouldn`t have been expected to return to work as advised off your physio but RM and Atos will say different.
If it was an AOD then it shouldn`t be included but there again it wouldn`t surprise me if they try and issue a stage 1.
Yes it is `normal` practise for them to send for you to explain your illness as they are only showing there concern for you. It`s so the Dom or lino can play Dr Kildare and cure you so you will be back quicker really.

Just like to add that you dont have to go into work to explain your illness. If you are struggling to get there due to your injury then tell them that you cannot make it. Offer for them to visit you if you could bear it or hold it over the phone.

[Shrek]

If it is an accident on duty and you are issued with a stage 1 raise a grievance as you can not appeal it. Also ANY meeting you have with your DOM ask for your Rep to be present. He does not have to say much but if he is there they may not try to bully you back before your ready. Get a back to work re hab plan from ATOS before you come back, and under no circumstanses stray from it.

[mickram]

Thanks for the advice guys, one of the managers came out today & i did get him to come to my home, so the interview was on my teritory & on my terms. I clearly stated to him that i would only consider returning to work now on two conditions, 1. that RM organise & authorise more needed physio, and 2. that when i do return its on a phased lighter duties basis. With regards to getting a union rep to be involved i have a problem there because as im a travelling relief i dont particularly have a set base office (other than the one on my pay slip) and the one i do have, although ive been doing this since December 2005, ive only ever spent a couple of weeks working at my "official office", so therefore i havent got a clue who to turn to as my union rep. What i will say is that if they did try & give me a stage 1 on my return i would in fact refuse to accept it & refuse to sign it.
Anyway, i would still appreciate any further input from anyone.
Thanks
Mick

[BELIAL]

Seems to me that you've done your research and more than covered your back May you be a beacon in the dimlight