mickyh Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I'm off work with lower back pain. Second week off, I lifted a wheelbarrow in my garden and didn't realise how heavy it was.Very very painfull. I got a sicknote for one week and some pain killers. When I tried to make another appointment I was told to come and pick up a new note and prescription. Work have just texted me this morning asking if I can go in tomorrow for a meeting with the company nurse. Are they allowed to do this? I've refused as I'm not keen on driving my car whilst being in so much pain. So the company nurse is coming to my house to visit me tomorrow. Is this normal practice nowadays. Can the nurse overturn the Dr's decision. I really cant work whilst I'm in so much pain and now I'm worried about my job. Thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxnet22 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Try contacting acas they might be able to advise you on the matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 That sounds really dodgy to me................sounds if they are really looking for an excuse to offload workers....trying to "catch" slackers....then replace them with cheap agency labour..................be really interested of the outcome of this............(start keeping notes of phone calls and visits and what was said)...just incase... on the other hand they may be treating you as a very much valued employee...and very concerned about your welfare so they are sending the company nurse around to see if there is any further help they can offer ..and to keep your spirits up......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 All nurse can do is check on you and make suggestions, doctors note is the authority. Btw yourcompany may have a physio on call etc who may be able to help but they need their nurse to carry out an assessment before any work/medical help can be provided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I'm off work with lower back pain. Second week off, I lifted a wheelbarrow in my garden and didn't realise how heavy it was.Very very painfull. I got a sicknote for one week and some pain killers. When I tried to make another appointment I was told to come and pick up a new note and prescription. Work have just texted me this morning asking if I can go in tomorrow for a meeting with the company nurse. Are they allowed to do this? I've refused as I'm not keen on driving my car whilst being in so much pain. So the company nurse is coming to my house to visit me tomorrow. Is this normal practice nowadays. Can the nurse overturn the Dr's decision. I really cant work whilst I'm in so much pain and now I'm worried about my job. Thanks for looking. hello, yes i am sure they can ask you to see the nurse, and if the case maybe a specialist doctor but i would not worry for now, check out your contract of employment, how long you have worked there and sickness benifits. keep in touch with you own doctor to, hope you get better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 They can also insist that you visit a doctors recommended by them if they feel that you are faking it or if the prognosis from your doctor indicates a long recovery. Most companies do this nowadays as we know that some, but clearly not all, people take liberties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Happened with one of our lads. Has 5 weeks off a year sick (6 week cut off for sick pay). He has now been asked to see a doctor of their choosing, and his doctor is being interviewed about his suitability to carry on working. The problem is that they never actually found any definable thing wrong with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickyh Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks for all of your replies, the company is trying to offload staff to different departments, as we have very little work on (oil industry) And that allows them to get rid of the Temps. I've been there 5 years now and its changed a lot, not a nice place to go to anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Is it an occupational health type visit - As in what adjustments can we make to help you when come back to work or the like. Will you require a phased return to work? Most big companies will do this. I wouldn't panic to be honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks for all of your replies, the company is trying to offload staff to different departments, as we have very little work on (oil industry) And that allows them to get rid of the Temps. I've been there 5 years now and its changed a lot, not a nice place to go to anymore. hello, as foxnet mentioned a call to ACAS might help give you more information on this area of employment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) If you've been there five years they can't get rid of you that easily. As has been suggested, give the ACAS helpline a call, on 0300 123 1100 and chat it through. As has also been suggested it might be a welfare visit though it's a bit previous to be in just your second week off. Or is it your third week off now? If they are looking at a 'phased' return to work and to make some 'reasonable adjustments' to facilitate that I would suggest you co-operate. I know the oil industry is slack at the moment so if there really isn't a job for any specific person they'll have to make people redundant through a proper consultation process. Are you in a union? If so give them a bell too. EDIT: you can't be dismissed on the grounds of a few weeks off sick. Capability dismissals through incapacity are longer-winded than most other kinds. Edited June 6, 2016 by Thunderbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Might be looking to get rid of you on medical grounds if your unfit to do your job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesey1981 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) If they're only sending a nurse then it's likely just to check that you're ok and find out what they can do to help get you back to work quicker, pretty sure they'd send a doctor if they were planning of getting rid of you, can't hurt to call ACAS or your Union anyway for some advice if you are a member of one, it's why you pay your dues after all. Most companies now will send doctors or nurses out to check on employees, even my old employer (who were pretty awful to work for) sent the company doctor round to check I was ok as I took a few days off after someone stepped out in front of my bus and I hit them, was just to see if I was ok and if I needed anything rather than anything sinister. Edited June 6, 2016 by Jamesey1981 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yates Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Your company have to accept that as a healthcare professional your GP has signed you off. It was his/her decision not yours. If they doubt either one of you they are legally able to communicate with your GP. But to do this they must seek your consent in writing first. If they are only sending a nurse who cannot legally provide a diagnosis then I don't think you have anything to worry about. It seems to me that they are trying to 'persuade 'you to return to your duties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) If you generally don't take much time off sick, then as mentioned above, the business might be looking to ways they can make it easier for you to return to work. If you take lots of time off sick, they may well be looking at attendance. If you have had zero issues with HR in the past and nothing on your record then I'd be very surprised if it wasn't just a case of the company looking out for both of your interests. Just to add attendance and capability are not the same thing. Hope your back is on the mend, good luck. Edited June 6, 2016 by fitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickyh Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Thanks for all of the comments. They have all been taken aboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooder Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 are you in a trade union of any kind? they would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I personally wouldn't worry about it. We do a lot of occupational health referrals in our business and often see if we can provide help with people getting back to work including external employee assistance programs with independent companies . In fact we provide on site physio that can be used even if its not a work issue i.e. you injured yourself playing sport. Also a lot of research has shown and this is backed by our unions that if you can get people back to work even on modified duties their recovery time is quicker which is better for them in the long run. With your length of service its not like they can bin you tomorrow.Having done numerous investigations for our company on disciplinary matters once you are past probationary HR are very lairy about a hint of dismissal except in case of gross misconduct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 (edited) Been thru this before - do not automatically assume that your neck is on the block. Decent companies employ the services of medical professionals to judge your possible needs at work i.e. If you suffer from back problems the Doctor will recommend, for example, that you no longer lift any weight over 25kg until further notice - they may also suggest a different chair if you sit for prolonged hours. Pretty sure that its the law now that a company must help you if it can. Edited June 6, 2016 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 It's called duty of care. You will find most people that are worried about these home visits are those that are taking the micky. And of course they need you back to work as soon as your fit and well, because they may still be paying you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern01 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 It could be that they are exploring the possibility of you carrying out some form of light duties until you recover enough to resume your normal work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Nothing to worry about,ive only just returned to work following 3 weeks off with a prolasped disc.Been back 4 weeks now but during my time off i spoke to works occupational health therapist Who instructed my manager to arrange a raised desk (hydrolic)I then returned back to work on reduced Hrs,3hrs per day then then 2nd week i worked 4 hrs and last week i was back to my full hrs of 24hrs (6hrs per day). Its all about being honest about your health and getting your GP to work with your employer regarding whats best for you.I took partial retirement when i turned 50,working 24hrs a week.This October i will be reducung that down to 16hrs till Oct 2017 when im 55 and will finish altogether.My employer has done everything they can to aid me and ive not once felt that they where trying to push me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickyh Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 It's called duty of care. You will find most people that are worried about these home visits are those that are taking the micky. And of course they need you back to work as soon as your fit and well, because they may still be paying you. I knew there would be one ! I'm concerned because I haven't even been off a full fortnight and its very quiet at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Sorry micky, Just a straight talking guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickyh Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 No problem, but it is very painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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