Long Term Sickness Advice,Please?

[guyscliffe]

Hiya Guys ....
I am coming upto my 6 months being off sick,having been through a difficult of bereavement
I have had a series of events happen in my life over the past 5 years,which have ended up with me not being able to cope.
The two worst of which were my dad and nan passing away,within 4 months of each other.
With dad,it was a slow painful passing.... dad was diagnosed with dimentia back in 2005,which ulitmately led to him passing away 2 years ago with the awful alzheimers.
My nan's,was just through old age,but nevertheless still a very difficult event to occur,so soon after dads passing.
Anyways,to cut a long story short ...
I have been on medication,with the full support,help and backing of my GP's ....
I also had the six telephone appointments with ATOS,which led to me being referred to a local counsellor for face to face counselling.
Both my GP's and ATOS have been very brilliant with me,as has my counsellor.
My question comes really from my counsellor,whom I had my last appointment with this morning.
She[and me] wants to know"what Royal Mails policy is on employees who go up and above the six month sickness period"?.
I have already told her that my wages get halved .... THIS IS NOT A WORRY OF MINE - I'M FOCUSING ON GETTING MYSELF,FIT AND WELL.
My health and wellbeing comes first .... I have given Royal Mail 24 years of my life,its time for me to think of myself for a change.
I had my wages through the door earlier,at the moment i'm still on full pay.
Have been told by my colleagues,that our office's revision has just gone live ....
So am not too keen to go back too soon,only to go sick again.Especially given the new sorting,delivery spans etc .....
Oh,and i've lost my walk of 17 years,BECAUSE I CANT BLOODY DRIVE ...Thats really gonna aid my recovery when I go back ... :P
Right,Rant Over ....

Just interested to know,what Royal Mails policy is on people like myself who go over the 6 months long term sickness ....
Many thanks ...
Jon.

[fishtank]

Just interested to know,what Royal Mails policy is on people like myself who go over the 6 months long term sickness ....
Many thanks ...
Jon.

As long as you are still in contact with ATOS,your GP and your Dom,the only thing that will change is your pay....there is no policy change at 6 months.
Take your time and get better.

[guyscliffe]

Just interested to know,what Royal Mails policy is on people like myself who go over the 6 months long term sickness ....
Many thanks ...
Jon.

As long as you are still in contact with ATOS,your GP and your Dom,the only thing that will change is your pay....there is no policy change at 6 months.
Take your time and get better.

Ok,many thanks fishtank ...

[easter bunny]

The RM may in the future try to force IHR on you, so be careful....

[guyscliffe]

The RM may in the future try to force IHR on you, so be careful....

Hiya Easter Bunny .....

IHR ? .....

[easter bunny]

The dreaded Ill heath retirement....

[guyscliffe]

Oh right,and given i've got 25 years service,how would that benefit me,if the need ever came about?

[easter bunny]

Only if you would be lucky enough to get an enchanced pension otherwise its near enough the same for everyone 34 weeks + lieu of notice + outstanding leave.

It all depends how long ATOS reckon you will be unable to work in the RM or any other similar work.


RM will be looking more than likely, at the IHR option very soon so be careful.....

[guyscliffe]

hiya folks ....
just a little update,with regards to my situation.
I was signed off again last week,for another 5 weeks.
My doctor increased my medication,so maybe that'll help.
Took my sick certificate in to my DOM,to be met by a glum look on his face.
He then asked me if I could give him some idea of when i'll be returning to work.
Told him that I was listening to my counsellors,ATOS,and my doctors advice.As soon as they were all ready to allow me back,then as long as I was ready things would begin happening.
But because apparently I have gone over the 6 month sickness threshold,and couldn't supply any concrete info on when i'll be back,he then had to look at my case from a BUSINESS point of view.
1. Do the RM continue to fund my counselling sessions.
2. Are the RM gonna be prepared to continue paying my wages,if their is no return to work guarantee ....
And so on ......
Silly me for going through the worst time of my life,and losing two of the closest members of my family,very close together.
Am thinkin now,that maybe if i'm offered IHR,i'll take it.
Will maybe take a couple of years out[thankfully money isn't an issue,my nan left me a tidy amount in her will],and NOT sign on the doll ....
Doing this will only make my already very difficult depressive state worse,given how job centres are currently haggling people to get into new jobs etc .....
And then sign back on,when I have recovered from my current mental problems .....[by which time I may have found another job,anyway]
Your thoughts ?
Jon ...

[fishtank]

I know you shouldn't need to Jon but if money isn't an issue have you considered taking a career break?
It would give you some much needed breathing space and at least your job would still be there at the end of it.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 23#p130627" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[guyscliffe]

I know you shouldn't need to Jon but if money isn't an issue have you considered taking a career break?
It would give you some much needed breathing space and at least your job would still be there at the end of it.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 23#p130627" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hiya fishtank .....

Yeah,i've considered that,buddy.
But our job has changed so much,I think I would be hitting my head against a barbed wire fence.
In our office(that was before I went sick,and before the van share revision had been implimented,everyone was pleased to get out onto their deliveries.)
Now the revision has been brought in,apparently nobody knows the new sorting some of the rural guys are still out delivering at 5.30,resulting in cut offs .
And we have had 3 guys resign,within the last fortnight because they are unable to hack the new work ethics ... LMAO ....
I really dont think that this is an ideal atmosphere or set up,for me to go back into fishtank,especially given the severity of my depression.
Quite honestly I think that would be a big mistake,it could even set me back to square one.

[fishtank]

I understand Jon...it was just an idea to get your incredibly sympathetic DOM off your case.
It sounds like you need a fresh start and you're absolutely right...i can't think of a worse job to be in right now for someone in your position.
Take care no matter what you choose to do.