Please Help!

[pleasehelp43]

Hi.

I have just started a new job, (3rd) shift in.

However i have been signed off on long term sick due to a long term ailment i have which is being investigated (Waiting on Cancer results)

Im desperately trying to come into work, but truthfully the pain is just unbearable.

I love my new job, and I desperately don’t want to leave please any help or advice!

[echat11]

Hi Pleasehelp43

I really think you need to think of you (you could be making your illness worse), the job is not the be-all and end-all.

Did you make your new employer aware of your illness etc before you started your employment?

[pleasehelp43]

I did I made them aware.

[pleasehelp43]

My question is really.

Can they legally fire me for being on the sick.

cheers

[echat11]

My question is really.

Can they legally fire me for being on the sick.

cheers

Here is some info, others members have more relevant knowledge in this area.

https://www.acas.org.uk/absence-from-work

ULA

[ULA]

Sorry just need to ask you some questions:

When did you actually start?
Did your employer asked if there were any reasonable adjustments that need to be made for you once you let them know about you illness?
Has this illness already last for more than 12 months? Just trying to establish whether your condition would be considered a disability?
How long have you been signed off for?

[pleasehelp43]

When did you actually start - 12th of June 2021.

Did your employer asked if there were any reasonable adjustments that need to be made for you once you let them know about you illness? - No they didn’t.

Has this illness already last for more than 12 months? Just trying to establish whether your condition would be considered a disability? - Yes it has lasted longer than a year.

How long have you been signed off for? - 4 Weeks.

[ULA]

The Equality Act 2010 setsout the definition for a disabiliy. It says you are disabled if:

• you have a physical or mental impairment
• that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

This substantial or long term effect is taken to be a period that has lasted 12 months or over.

Have you spoken to your employer about the situation and whether they are going to keep your job available for you?

[pleasehelp43]

I’ve told my employer about my situation but heard nothing back.

[ULA]

So your employer knows that you are signed off sick for whatever period of time is on your Fitness for Work certificate, I presume you notified them by sending in the certificate? Have you emailed or spoken to anyone directly or just waiting a response to sending in the certificate?

[pleasehelp43]

I’ve been contacted by nobody from my job.

I have emailed but had no reply.

[ULA]

Not sure what you have emailed so far but i would suggest that you send a follow up email, explaining that you are very concerned about your job since you have only recently started and are now signed off for xx amount of time. Make the point that you did inform your employer of your medical condition prior to joining. Request that someone contacts you either by phone and provide a contact number (if you are happy to be phoned) or email to let you know the situation with your job.

[pleasehelp43]

Thanks.

Sadly they’ve dismissed me.