Advice on Sick & Stage Warnings please

[thcoms]

Can anybody help me with this one, about 7 wks ago I was diagnosed with sciatica by my GP, he wanted to sign me of sick but I asked for a letter to do light duties & show willing to my DOM which was agreed, my condition got worse so I went back to GP who gave me a sick note for 2 wks, my DOM asked if I would come into work & do internal work (sort deads, re-directs, locker etc) to which I agreed, after the 2wks I didnt feel I was ready to resume my full duties so I asked my GP for another light duties letter which involved doing half my walk & to complete my time, going back to the office for internal work.

I was then sent a letter from my DOM stating I had to resume full duties or drop on the sick to which he told me would trigger a Stage 1 warning, in all the time I have worked for RM, I have never had a sick day except for this, I was refered to ATOS who made a decision that I could resume 3/4 of my duty for 2 weeks then resume full duties, how can they make a diagnosis of my condition over the phone & over-rule my GP.

I'm due back tomorrow for 3/4 of my walk but after 2 weks of doing this, where do I stand, do I drop on the sick & wait for a Stage 1 or do I resume full duties & possibly make my situation worse.

Too be fair to my DOM, he has helped me but I think he has helped himself more by persuading me to go in & he said the threat came from higher management, why didnt he refer me to ATOS before all this happened, it seems we have done this arse about tit.

[Post Off]

Yeah, it doesn't seem right that your dom can simply write you a letter saying that you should return back to normal duties. Was there not some form of report he was consulting? I mean, from atos? When you are referred to atos and you follow their recommendations you cannot always do this if your illness becomes worse, and so my feeling is that your dom must always refer you back to atos for more over the phone diagnosis.

Still, I just don't know whether this is a decision your dom would normally take before you would incur the (inevitable?) stage warning. I believe it should, but I'm only guessing.

[dave7634]

Ask for a fact to face appointment with your Atos unit. This may fair better with your case than over the phone and this you can ask for.

[Stormproof]

I had an appointment with the ATOS Dr for my Stage 3. I attended the S3 interview with the DOM and he said he did'nt have to take any notice of what ATOS said for his decision. Whats the point of going through ATOS at all if the DOM is going to ignore stuff and make his own judgement after all we all know that DOM's are fully qualified in medical matters

[stokes11eg]

I really do think it is time doctors could sign folks of with a temporary disabilty, rather than the usual inability to work. This should then be covered under the D.D.A and should offer some protection to people.

[Post Off]

I had an appointment with the ATOS Dr for my Stage 3. I attended the S3 interview with the DOM and he said he did'nt have to take any notice of what ATOS said for his decision. Whats the point of going through ATOS at all if the DOM is going to ignore stuff and make his own judgement after all we all know that DOM's are fully qualified in medical matters

That is fugging outrageous!

I truly hope it goes well with you despite the mean things your dom said.

[pinstripe]

I only see my DOM once or twice a week. Now I know where he goes, he's obviously doing medical lecture tours to keep our NHS consultants training up to date.

[steven100]

Another reason why we should still be striking.

[rogue]

what you should have is a rehabilitation plan agreed between you your local rep and the dom.
this should fporm aup to a 12 week review of you returning to full duty.
if you do not agree with your plan you have a right to appeal and your dom should follow the advice of atos.
if you are not happy with atos advice force a 1to 1 interview and not just a phone call.

[coxie]

after these 2 weeks if you dont feel better you are within your rights to talk to atos again and review it if you feel you need longer to rehabilitate.

If you are forced to go on the sick to get a stage 1 make sure you take a good few weeks off and make it worth while. A stage 1 is nothing you can clear it easy if your as good as you say with your record. To clear a stage 1 you would still be allowed 1 absence every 6months within the 12month period or 1 absence of 9 days in the 12 months.

Play the system mate because you get no thanks for being honest they just dont want to knowm so look at sick as extra holiday each year.

[annann]

Our DOM is a doctor too!
Get your line manager to arrange for a work place assessmemt with Atos

[ulster postie]

I really do think it is time doctors could sign folks of with a temporary disabilty, rather than the usual inability to work. This should then be covered under the D.D.A and should offer some protection to people

Temporary disability is not coveverd by DDA. you have got to have a long term (1year) illness, or an illness that is going to be long term.

[stokes11eg]

yes. I agree with that, but there has to be a middle ground somewhere, don't you think?

[ulster postie]

Mabe stokes, but dda is writen in law.

[General Mannerheim]

Rogue where do you get this 12 weeks from?
I was told that I couldn`t have any longer than 4 weeks rehab plan off the DOM,when I said thats bolloxs as 16 months ago I had a 3 month rehab plan he said that we don`t do that any more,so when I rang Atossers up to ask them if this was true was told that yes it is true as RM want people back to work as quickly as possible even if it means them having to go off again when the rehab plan goes tits up due to people not being fully fit.

All RM and Atossers are interested in is getting people back to work and where they can`t bully somebody back because of a bad illness they look to ill health retire you on the lump sum option as it`s a cheap way to get rid of staff.w*****s.