ATOS referal - pressure

[Lou84]

I had an operation last Thursday on my right groin area, surgeon has signed me off for two weeks.

My manager was desperate to refer me to ATOS on the Friday, but I managed to get it delayed claiming I wasn't sure what state I would be in on Friday it being the day after my op. Spent most of Friday asleep on the sofa, so glad I dodged the phone call.

Had the dreaded phone call from ATOS this morning, explained I was in alot of pain, struggling with stairs, walking, getting dressed and haven't even attempted driving yet. They asked how the wound looked, I was advised by the hospital not to remove the dressing until my follow up, though the area appears to be bruised. Their solution was walk up and down the stairs sideways !!

They want me back at work in two weeks time on 50% duties, explained I wasn't happy with driving being the driver of our park & loop and also not happy carrying/loading the van incase I cause further injury. I managed to get them to advise light duties, after a lot of convincing !

I'm seeing the consultant this evening for my follow up but I'm now feeling pressured into going back to work, when they haven't even allowed me time to recover. I feel the ATOS referral was to early to make any decision.

Apparently after the week on 50% duties its down to be to discuss my progress with my manager. Like that's really going to go my way !

I'm considering going to my GP next week and getting myself signed off for a little longer, if I'm not 100%.

I feel with the intensity/demands of the job physically two weeks after a op is a little rushed.

Has anyone else has similar problems/experiences ?

[parcelboy]

Ask them who made referal without your consent .Its called patient confidentiality typical RM ManagersW******

[worktotime]

take the word of a consultant not the atos clowns, I was off for nearly 6 months with a stomach hernia , you no what you can and cant do with the pain etc, tell atos that all this stress and pressure isn't helping you , take as long as you need , don't worry what they say. hope your well soon.

[parcelboy]

Get your GP to sign u off as they ie RM or ATOS.can not over rule ur GP.mine kept signing me off when i told him they were putting.pressure.on.to rtw such tossers if in union get area rep involved reverse the pressure T****** I had 16months off one hit

[fishtank]

Get your GP to sign u off as they ie RM or ATOS.can not over rule ur GP.

From the new attendance procedure.

What happens when Occupational Health Service and the GP differ on fitness to attend work?

On occasion, the GP opinion regarding fitness to work may differ from that of the Occupational Health Service. In the vast majority of instances this can be resolved by the employee talking further with their GP, who may not be aware of the opportunity to modify the employee’s role. If this does not resolve the situation the Occupational Health practitioner should contact the GP to ensure that such opportunities can be explored. If this does not resolve the issue for further advice, please contact the HR Advice Centre.

[pinstripe]

I

I'm seeing the consultant this evening for my follow up but I'm now feeling pressured into going back to work, when they haven't even allowed me time to recover. I feel the ATOS referral was to early to make any decision.

As you're seeing your consultant this evening, ask his advice. Remember to mention ATOS.

If he says that's fine and you can return after 2 weeks on light duties, ok. It's my experience however, that they don't like to be overruled.

[postman nel]

I had a operation on my hip. ..after 2 weeks atos got in touch I told them my recovery time was 3+months....was offered ihr the following day...which I took when I eventually signed off by the hospital 4 months later..

[kwenchycup]

If you feel you cant go back to work then DONT ! ! They cant force you to go back BUT have your GP on your side if you think there will be a battle .

If you want to keep your job and they force you back then do it and go back to the office after 15 minutes and tell them you are going to your doctor and tell him you could hardly walk after a short period . Another 2 or more weeks off .

[Lou84]

Thanks for the replies.

Surgeon is happy with the way the wound is healing but I have been referred for further tests :-(

Haven't been sleeping properly since the operation and feel generally run down, the ATOS pressure really didn't help yesterday.

Will give it a couple more days, if no improvement then I'll take myself off to the docs.

Seems bit of a consequence that I'm being encouraged back to work so quickly just as the summer holidays kick in and their understaffed ;-) lol

[bogstandard]

your return to work plan MUST be agreed with you. ATOS must ask your permission to forward any details of the conversation/consultation.
If you (and you clearly are) not happy with the ATOS plan tell them to get in touch with your consultant to work out a plan.
Finally for future reference don't give RM permission to give you phone number to ATSO, that way stating the obvious they cannot call you, they will need to write to you and arrange a face to face.

[Lou84]

Finally for future reference don't give RM permission to give you phone number to ATSO, that way stating the obvious they cannot call you, they will need to write to you and arrange a face to face.

A defiant must for future reference, I had my manager doctor tell me before my op that I would be back within a week.

Who knew managers were also medically trained ;-)

[clashcityrocker]

Who knew managers were also medically trained ;-)

I did.
I once saw one diagnose the extent of an ankle injury simply by observing the postman walk around the office.
He was our very own Postman Whisperer.

[Ossie From Preston]

Don't answer the phone to them simple! And if you do by mistake say "I don't recognize ATOS"

[Moley88]

Hi everyone , not sure if you could help but I am of with stress / anxiety , a family member very close to me has months to live and I am all over the place at the minute , even the thought of normal life stuff is hardto cope with and my manager wants a face to face meeting , he says its to help but we all know its just a pressure thing and its making me feel worse , my chest feels like it is going to explode and my headaches are far worse , atos called a month ago and agreed I am unfit for work and can't determine when I will be able to come back as its related to my family member dying , do I have to go to see the manager ?

[flaminmoses]

Hi everyone , not sure if you could help but I am of with stress / anxiety , a family member very close to me has months to live and I am all over the place at the minute , even the thought of normal life stuff is hardto cope with and my manager wants a face to face meeting , he says its to help but we all know its just a pressure thing and its making me feel worse , my chest feels like it is going to explode and my headaches are far worse , atos called a month ago and agreed I am unfit for work and can't determine when I will be able to come back as its related to my family member dying , do I have to go to see the manager ?

best to speak to the union.
sounds very stressfull and upsetting....i know how bad that situation will be and no way are you gonna be in a fit state even if you were coping well with it.