Some advice please.

[pleasehelp43]

Hi everyone.

i am currently employed, and have been for the past 8 months now.

However i have some underlying health issues which can/have affected my work so for the past two months i have been off sick.

The doctors have given me 4 weeks each time as they’re aware of my illnesses.

I made my employer aware of my illnesses upon starting and have always been transparent.

I was told by a colleague of mine to fill in a form for a new chair for my desk which i did however things have deteriorated since then.

I don’t think I’ll be returning to work anytime soon, what options do i have? I get sick paid in full for 6 months after then it’s half pay.

Can they sack me?

One of my illnesses is related to my neurological system and my other illness is related to my nervous system.

Any help/advice would be really welcome.

Thanks.

[echat11]

Hi Pleasehelp

It is 'unlikely' that they would sack you, but clearly they will want you to return to work as soon as possible. They will look at ways that will help you return to work. They might seek guidance from 'Occupational Health', i.e. you could initially reduce your hours, do something less demanding etc.

ULA

[ULA]

Is this illness a continuation of your condition that your previous thread on LegalBeagles was about, linked to below?

Please Help! - LegalBeagles Forum

Other than your colleague telling you to fill in a form for a new chair, did your employer asked if there were any other reasonable adjustments that needed to be made for you, once you let them know about you illness?

It sounds like it but do you consider that your condition is considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and did you tell your employer this?

Ideally as echat11 has said your employer would want to see you returning to work and may request you give consent to obtaining medical reports from your Dr/Consultant and/or attending an Occupational Health (OH) appointment. Any suggestions from either of these sources for options on making reasonable adjustment to enable you to return to work need to be considered by your employer. If they do not want to make the reasonable adjustments then they will need to justify why not.

Ultimately, if you remain off sick and there is no likelihood of your returning to work, even if reasonable adjustments can be made, then yes your employer can dismiss you, however they would need to follow a fair and reasonable process and prove that they have done everything possible to accommodate a return to work.

[pleasehelp43]

Thanks so much, both my illnesses are classed as disabilities.

They advised the independent health and safety person would determine my fitness for work is that correct?

[ULA]

It would depend on what health and safety implications are for the condition you have and what type of job that you do. I would suggest that you speak to your employer about also getting an Occupational Health report.