Off sick on long term...

[jaisunny]

I am currently signed off with with stress and I'm on anti depressants due to mainly home related issues that have caused my health to go downhill.

My employer is pushing for face to face meetings on a regular basis, which I've been to once. I rejected the last meeting as I wasn't feeling good, the medication makes me drowsy and dizzy and it states that I shouldn't drive or use machinery.. Etc.

There is a policy that says face to face meetings are required when off sick long term.

They have been coming to my home a few times last week to hand deliver letters and once, my other half answered and told them I'm not available., they've since withheld my pay and pulled out a policy that states you cannot leave your home unless for medical reasons without consent of your manager.

My doctor has already advised me to get out as much as possible.

How can an employer enforce such a policy on me with my current condition?

And secondly, what are the implications if I am unable to attend the next face to face meeting? I now have 2 issues.. One being feeling unwell to attend such meetings and the other being unable to drive safely a 50 mile round trip.

[PallasAthena]

I can't comment on the law but your employer's policy on not leaving the home doesn't sound right to me.

If your GP signs you off sick they are only certifying that you are too ill to carry out your normal occupation. Not that you are too ill to leave the house or do the shopping or whatever.

And as you point out when someone is suffering from stress and depression it's commonplace for the medcal advice to be to get out of the house as often as possible and exercise in the open air, walking etc. So even if the employer's policy were enforceable you would be complying with it as you would be going out for a medical reason.