Return to work interview

Post by **hothothot** » 29 May 2018, 18:30

Should I insist on my union rep sitting in with me on my return to work interview , I've been off work for 3 months and expecting a stage 1. The doms being a bit funny with me at the moment.my docs fit note says only part time work to start with. I won't say no more in case of being identified.

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 29 May 2018, 21:06

Sure, don't give them the opportunity to try it on. Is there a problem getting the rep to attend?

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 29 May 2018, 22:35

Rep can go in stage meeting for the reasons you’ve mentioned

rehabron · Post by **rehabron** » 30 May 2018, 06:30

hothothot wrote:Should I insist on my union rep sitting in with me on my return to work interview , I've been off work for 3 months and expecting a stage 1. The doms being a bit funny with me at the moment.my docs fit note says only part time work to start with. I won't say no more in case of being identified.

Having been off for 3 months I would have expected you to have been referred to OH Assist or at least HR Services and if OH Assist they would have sent their recommendations to your line manager and copied you in. An example would be adjusted hours, restriction on weight to be carried and a rehabilitation programme set up with weekly monitoring in an effort to get your back to work.
You realise that backed by the government your employer can refuse to accept the stipulations on the GP fit note and furthermore the Occupational Health recommendations but where there is a dispute between GP and occupational health you can with your consent allow both parties to contact each other only for the absence that is under consideration.
Some reps will wait until should it eventually progress to a stage 3 and challenge manager's actions but taking a witness into any meeting with management I would strongly advise.

Post by **hothothot** » 30 May 2018, 13:50

Thanks for the advice. The Dom has told me oh assist are not involved in rehab anymore. He said it's entirely up to him to decide what rehab is relevant. My fit note says no heavy lifting and a gradual build up of hours. The problem is he can basically get me to allmost anything he wants. He wants me next week to do a full duty, not what my doctor and physio advise. I've had a serious back problem and I've told him there's no way I'm going to be capable to do a full duty. I'm going to see my union rep tomorrow to try to sort this out. My fit note says I'm not capable of more than a couple of hours indoor work a day.

raid2506 · Post by **raid2506** » 30 May 2018, 15:00

As has been correctly pointed out your employer can insist you work regardless of what it says on your fit note. However if your employer follows that course it should be pointed out to them that should your condition worsen they could be personally liable and also as a business. They need to have a medical justification for over riding a fit note, not just a business need. H+S and duty of care still stand...

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 30 May 2018, 15:44

Contact unionline and sue if you injure yourself

DICKIEG · Post by **DICKIEG** » 30 May 2018, 16:51

Get anything your dom is saying he expects you to do on your return in writing by him and have a reliable witness with you. Point out as you are following these instructions you will hold him and the business responsible, should your condition worsen.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 30 May 2018, 19:11

Going on 'light duties' is standard practice in RM following a reasonable period of sickness.

Post by **patrickstar14** » 31 May 2018, 05:06

once your absence has gone past 28 days then HR should refer you to OH Assist with their advice even with the changes that took place. You should not have to do full hours either and it should be paced over 4 weeks

Post by **hothothot** » 31 May 2018, 14:28

Thanks for all the advice.