off sick and being asked to return to work

[kitty1956]

PLease help

went to the doctor with a bad back (which i have had since last Sept and tried to work with but the pain became so bad i was constantly on pain killers)on monday she gave me a sick note for 3 weeks, i have been off for 4 days of that sickness and recieved a letter from the office boss requesting a meeting on sat with me to discuss returning to work within 5 mins of signing for the letter my line manager rang to see how i was getting on i was asked if i would go back to work on light duties i pointed out that i have a sick note they said if i went back it would look better on my sick record and that it would show i had tried i asked what would happen if i went off again (i am not on any stage) what i want to know is can they force me to go in against a sick note, can anyone please advise me what to do

[REDLETTER]

Do not return to work whilst your sick note is still valid.

It say exactly what it is............you are too sick to do your job!


If you feel the need to return to work on light duties then return to the doctors and request the new type of "sick note" that tells RM what you can do ie: light duties.
Don't be pressurised in to going back until you feel ready to. If you DIM feels that strongly about your well being then ATOS will be involved sooner than you think!

[mr deeds]

tell them unlesss they are now doctors to f*ck off or if they wish you to turn up to work and have an accident that they will be responsible for the crime against health and safty

[smokerjim]

Do not return to work whilst your sick note is still valid.

It say exactly what it is............you are too sick to do your job!


If you feel the need to return to work on light duties then return to the doctors and request the new type of "sick note" that tells RM what you can do ie: light duties.
Don't be pressurised in to going back until you feel ready to. If you DIM feels that strongly about your well being then ATOS will be involved sooner than you think!

Actually REDLETTER, that "new type of sick note" is what he will have already - sick notes no longer exist, as of April or May this year, all you get now is a "Fit note" that details the type or level of work a GP believes their patient is able to undertake....in short, if a Dr gives a Fit Note that says "No work for 3 weeks" then you do NOT work for 3 weeks.

Near the end of the 3 weeks, I would suggest going back to the Dr's, so they can review the situation, and if they say return to full duties, return to light duties, or stay off for XYZ more weeks, then that is exactly what you do, nothing more, nothing less.

Finally RESIST ALL PRESSURE FROM YOUR MANAGERS....FORGET WHAT THEY SAY, OR WHAT THEY THREATEN - ONLY DO WHAT YOUR GP ADVISES. At the end of the day, even if you get an IHR, or a stage 3, your long term health is more important than making a manager's day easier.

[easter bunny]

The DOM should be getting advice off ATOS before making any request for you to come back to work....

[REDLETTER]

Do not return to work whilst your sick note is still valid.

It say exactly what it is............you are too sick to do your job!


If you feel the need to return to work on light duties then return to the doctors and request the new type of "sick note" that tells RM what you can do ie: light duties.
Don't be pressurised in to going back until you feel ready to. If you DIM feels that strongly about your well being then ATOS will be involved sooner than you think!

Actually REDLETTER, that "new type of sick note" is what he will have already - sick notes no longer exist, as of April or May this year, all you get now is a "Fit note" that details the type or level of work a GP believes their patient is able to undertake....in short, if a Dr gives a Fit Note that says "No work for 3 weeks" then you do NOT work for 3 weeks.

Near the end of the 3 weeks, I would suggest going back to the Dr's, so they can review the situation, and if they say return to full duties, return to light duties, or stay off for XYZ more weeks, then that is exactly what you do, nothing more, nothing less.


Finally RESIST ALL PRESSURE FROM YOUR MANAGERS....FORGET WHAT THEY SAY, OR WHAT THEY THREATEN - ONLY DO WHAT YOUR GP ADVISES. At the end of the day, even if you get an IHR, or a stage 3, your long term health is more important than making a manager's day easier.

Finicky B*gger

So if you suddenly make miraculous recovery, it's best to stay off for the full 3 weeks and not go back to the Docs and get issued with a revised "Fit Note"

Totally agreed with the long term health issue, wish we had some stats available to see how many broke Posties are on NHS books draining their resources!

Oh by the way, I think HE is a SHE

[smokerjim]

Do not return to work whilst your sick note is still valid.

It say exactly what it is............you are too sick to do your job!


If you feel the need to return to work on light duties then return to the doctors and request the new type of "sick note" that tells RM what you can do ie: light duties.
Don't be pressurised in to going back until you feel ready to. If you DIM feels that strongly about your well being then ATOS will be involved sooner than you think!

Actually REDLETTER, that "new type of sick note" is what he will have already - sick notes no longer exist, as of April or May this year, all you get now is a "Fit note" that details the type or level of work a GP believes their patient is able to undertake....in short, if a Dr gives a Fit Note that says "No work for 3 weeks" then you do NOT work for 3 weeks.

Near the end of the 3 weeks, I would suggest going back to the Dr's, so they can review the situation, and if they say return to full duties, return to light duties, or stay off for XYZ more weeks, then that is exactly what you do, nothing more, nothing less.


Finally RESIST ALL PRESSURE FROM YOUR MANAGERS....FORGET WHAT THEY SAY, OR WHAT THEY THREATEN - ONLY DO WHAT YOUR GP ADVISES. At the end of the day, even if you get an IHR, or a stage 3, your long term health is more important than making a manager's day easier.

Finicky B*gger

So if you suddenly make miraculous recovery, it's best to stay off for the full 3 weeks and not go back to the Docs and get issued with a revised "Fit Note"

Totally agreed with the long term health issue, wish we had some stats available to see how many broke Posties are on NHS books draining their resources!

Oh by the way, I think HE is a SHE

Hey, I'm not the one that has gone to IVth form college, got A-Levels, then on to Uni, then onto medical school, then onto a training hospital, then spent X number of years in general wards, before finally taking an opportunity to become a GP
)
BTW, I don't think I made my reply gender specifc, but having a username of "mr deeds" is misleading for a chick to have ( unless she has a HUGE crucsh on Adam Sandler )

[coxie]

This is what they do, they tell you lies to get you to go back, tell your dom you cannot attend his meeting because you are too sick. They will tell you how much better it will be to return to work, also mention to them that it is illegal to work if signed off by a doctor. Make a copy of your doctors note before you give it in.

[TeeferTiger]

It is a fit note. The Doctor has said you're not fit for work. The Doctor did not say "Is fit for work if amendments are made", it says, not fit for work.

I know someone who was off sick and kept getting asked to go back. They went back to their Doctor and the Doctor phoned up their DOM and basically said "if you're better qualified than I am to say that this person can return to work, then come and do my job. Otherwise, leave them alone". It worked

[General Mannerheim]

It won't make the slightest difference if you go back on light duties as the weigh anchors will still give you a stage warning,nice of your DOM to think of your sick record though.

[fishtank]

This is part of the management sick absence breifing...

(b) The business must be satisfied that an employee's absence is necessary and due to genuine illness.(c) The business reserves the right to refuse sick pay if an absence is due to, or is aggravated by, causes within the employee's control, or if the employee has neglected instructions given by a Doctor.

So.... as you can see if you ignore your Doctors instructions and return to work early you will actually be playing into managements hands and if you end up going sick again because you have returned too early you may have a fight on your hands just to get sick pay.

[kitty1956]

thank you everyone who has replied that has really put my mind at rest.
i was so worried about what they could do to me some really sound advise there and just what i needed thanks for the support

[TeeferTiger]

PLease help

went to the doctor with a bad back (which i have had since last Sept and tried to work with but the pain became so bad i was constantly on pain killers)on monday she gave me a sick note for 3 weeks, i have been off for 4 days of that sickness and recieved a letter from the office boss requesting a meeting on sat with me to discuss returning to work within 5 mins of signing for the letter my line manager rang to see how i was getting on i was asked if i would go back to work on light duties i pointed out that i have a sick note they said if i went back it would look better on my sick record and that it would show i had tried i asked what would happen if i went off again (i am not on any stage) what i want to know is can they force me to go in against a sick note, can anyone please advise me what to do

The only reason they want you to go back, is because you're coming out of their budget whilst off sick. They'd rather you were in doing SOMETHING for your money, than nothing at all.

Yes, it would look better if you weren't off as long, but if you're off again later as a result of going back early, then it makes no difference/looks worse.

I was talked into going back early after my AOD (with arm in sling and barely able to walk) and I wish I hadn't. I never gave my body chance to heal properly and was constantly asked to do more than I could, which slowed the process of getting back to full duties down considerably. I was also then getting grief off my colleagues because they were having to do some of my work when they felt (in their qualified medical opinions) that I was capable of doing it myself. I then felt pressured into doing it so they weren't having to do it and I now still suffer with pain in the injured areas.

If you go back, you will feel under pressure to get things done that you shouldn't be doing.

Also, if you stay off, you're more likely to get offered physio and whatnot thru ATOS than if you return to work.

When you do return to work, make sure there is a rehab plan set out IN WRITING and that you are given a copy. It's also not black and white so, if you are struggling again, the rehab plan needs to be revised. Don't stand for your manager going "well, ATOS said you should be doing this, this and this by this week". It's only in their opinion (which they make via a telephone call ffs), and isn't black and white/set in stone.

Your health comes first. RM constantly tell us this and then do everything they can to kill us off.

[wiganpostie]

This is what they do, they tell you lies to get you to go back, tell your dom you cannot attend his meeting because you are too sick. They will tell you how much better it will be to return to work, also mention to them that it is illegal to work if signed off by a doctor. Make a copy of your doctors note before you give it in.

I remember one of those glossy "Your Health" ring binder pages that came with an episode of "The Courier" about a year ago. It actually said that if you had a back injury you were better to get some exercise than rest up. At least we now know who types those things up.

[TeeferTiger]

This is what they do, they tell you lies to get you to go back, tell your dom you cannot attend his meeting because you are too sick. They will tell you how much better it will be to return to work, also mention to them that it is illegal to work if signed off by a doctor. Make a copy of your doctors note before you give it in.

I remember one of those glossy "Your Health" ring binder pages that came with an episode of "The Courier" about a year ago. It actually said that if you had a back injury you were better to get some exercise than rest up. At least we now know who types those things up.

I actually meant to put that at the end of my post.

My Doctor gave me a book, called the back book oddly enough, which tells you in there that total bed rest isn't good for your back. Your back will not allow you to hurt yourself and taking pain killers will help you get thru the day to day pain. Ibuprofen may help to ease any inflammation and aid healing.

Always best to try and keep moving, gentle exercises etc. I'm sure your Doctor can give you all this advise, or refer you to a physio.