Ill Health Retirement

[SexyLegs]

Forum users - A guy who works not too far from my delievry office is desperately trying to get out of the s**t hole (his words) that is Royal Mail and is loathed to walk away with nothing so he asked me to ask on here the following:-

What would be his best course of action to be ill health retired, stress, etc?

If he goes off with stress how would you think it would unfold?, his doctor is right behind him apparently so he can get signed off for however long he needs to, at what stage will RM start getting ATOS involved and what should he tell ATOS to enhance his chances of IHR?

All input appreciated.

[wiganpostie]

I can't help you as I don't know anything about the subject, but your post has got me thinking...if you take IHR from Royal Mail then start a new job a few months later elsewhere, can RM chase you for your IHR money?

[SexyLegs]

I'm guessing there would be a timescale of sorts but no idea what......................anyone?

[hans solo]

why would they chase you if atos puts you off work through ill health when you go for benefit you come out of atos in glasgow a fit and healthy person dont you know there miracle workers there lourdes there calling it,
fact they put you out of work ill then refuse you benefit saying fit to work

[Body Beyond Repair]

Stress no don't think so comes and goes, if his doctor's right behind him tell him to get a diagnosis that stops him doing his daily workload he's employed to do.You must lay it on thick when attending atos so you leave them no option than to put you forward for IHR.Most cases i know if you say the right things you'll get it with the appropriate doctors certificates.

[TeeferTiger]

IHR also isn't so much as "never going to get better and can't work again", it's more a case of when will you be able to start back at work with RM. If you can't come back within a time-scale they'd like you to, then IHR is considered.

However, stress can be combated and getting back to work is more likely than having another medical issue that physically prevents you from returning to work, being unable to do the job. They could offer him work in a different office/MC etc doing something different if he's unable to cope with his current workload. I believe they're obliged to do this under the equality act? (I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to add more/correct me).

[postie222]

Normalley nine months before they consider ihr.

[TeeferTiger]

Normalley nine months before they consider ihr.

Not nessercelery! Depends what's wrong...

[fishtank]

There is no defined time scale although with most illnesses it can take 6month to a year to determine which of the two definitions you will come under...



4. DEFINITIONS OF ILL HEALTH RETIREMENT

4.1 “Retirement on ill health grounds with immediate pension” means the cessation of employment as a result of serious physical or mental ill health (not simply a decline in energy or ability) such that, in the opinion of Royal Mail Group or associated employer the member is permanently incapable of:

a) carrying out his current duties;

b) carrying out such other duties for the employer as the employer might reasonably expect the member to perform; and

c) engaging in employment with any other employer of a type which, in the opinion of his present employer, would be reasonable and appropriate for the member.



4.2 “Retirement on ill health grounds with lump sum payment” means the cessation of employment as a result of serious physical or mental ill health (not simply a decline in energy or ability) such that, in the opinion of Royal Mail Group or associated employer, the employee is, for the foreseeable future, incapable of:

a) carrying out his current duties;

b) carrying out such other duties for the employer as the employer might reasonably expect the member to perform.

[banddy]

if the employer is causing the 'stress' - he has to inform the employer what exactly the problem with the work[load] is, so the employer can put measures in place to tackle the stress. you can't just say it's 'stress', you have to specify the reason for the stress.

if it's home[life] related, they are obliged to 'help' but that situation is more complicated and could end up a bag of spanners (attendence procedure, etc)

does he/she want to be IHR and have that on his/her record for potential future employers to find out about?

IHR is a serious issue, not something to piss about with. it is there to help the people who are genuinely ill/sick, not the malingerers who want to
leave RM but haven't got the balls to just leave.

if they want something for leaving there is the option of EVR or TMA, or they could get a buydown, then leave after the qualifying period.
or even if they considered a subbatical (1 or 2 years out) and come back if they so desire?

but don't ruin the IHR for the people who are genuinely ill/sick.

[mazza111]

But what to remember is, stress and depression are medical conditions. Easy to fake but medical conditions just the same

[POSTMAN]

There is no defined time scale although with most illnesses it can take 6month to a year to determine which of the two definitions you will come under...

Yadda yadda...

But what if because of an AOD you couldn' t work for RM anymore as there was no duties (indoor officey type stuff) available,what happens there?

[TeeferTiger]

There is no defined time scale although with most illnesses it can take 6month to a year to determine which of the two definitions you will come under...

Yadda yadda...

But what if because of an AOD you couldn' t work for RM anymore as there was no duties (indoor officey type stuff) available,what happens there?

They'd pin the AOD as your fault and get rid

[SexyLegs]

So...............where did we get to then?, still reckon stress is his best option, he thinks the same so what is his next move?

He thinks go and see his doc, and tell him he feels stressed due to being moved from job to job, he's a ft reserve, feeling pressurised because he is expected to sort jobs he only does 2 or 3 times a year at the same speed the duty holder would do them and when he can't, and obviously he wouldn't be able to, the managers tell him he's not prepping at the correct rate etc etc

Thoughts?

[mazza111]

Well first port of call would be his GP for anything stress related, will then be up to his GP to decide whether the stress is enough to warrant time off work or not.