There are
six possible outcomes from an ATOS referral.
1) Be able to resume their full normal duty as before
2) Be able to resume their normal duty after an initial period of rehabilitation or temporary modification of the duty. The OHS would recommend the nature and likely duration of such modifications taking into account both the needs of the employee and the opportunities within the business to provide such modified work
3) Be able to resume their normal duty with more permanent adjustments to their duty, again taking into account the needs of the employee and the opportunities for adjustment available to the business
4) Be unable to resume their former duty, but would be able to undertake suitable alternative work in the business following any necessary reasonable adjustments and/or training. In this case the OHS will provide advice on:
• The type of work that would be suitable e.g. sedentary or fully mobile, and any special requirements e.g. non-driving or chargeship responsibilities etc.
• Aptitude, capability, skill requirements and any other qualifying conditions.
• The hours of attendance required and whether these are limited to certain times of the day or week.
• The location of the work and the limitations on daily travel for either attendance or discharging of duties involved.
• Guidance on disability and implications in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act.
5) Be unable to work again for the foreseeable future but should recover and be able to be employed in some capacity outside of Royal Mail Group.
In this case the OHS would be concluding that whilst the individual may be able to resume some duties in the future, the time frame involved may be unacceptable to the business, or that the appropriate adjustments necessary are such that suitable alternative duties of this type may not exist or be achievable within the business. The recommendation would therefore be ‘Retirement on ill health grounds with lump sum payment’.
6) Be unable to work again.
The recommendation would therefore be ‘Retirement on ill health grounds with immediate pension’.