FabSwingers.com forum: Advice for sick employees

By *airy_Hetty OP Woman
over a year ago

Greater London

Need advice pronto please.

Can a employer contact a sick worker to ask for a meeting whilst a valid sick cert is still valid?

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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago

harrow

Not sure is it a long term sick? Feel free to pm

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By *issBehavingxxWoman
over a year ago

Glasgow

Yes an employer can contact an employee who is off sick.

Re 'a meeting' it would depend what the meeting was about.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yea they can

Maybe they want to talk about return to work options

Assistance with Heath care

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By *evaquitCouple
over a year ago

Catthorpe

I'd say yes if the employee is able to attend, does your illness prevent you from attending/handing in a sick note? If it only applies to you not being able to perform your duties then it seems reasonable to me anyway for an employer to be able to request a meeting, but that's just me applying my own version of logic, don't know the legalities I'm afraid.

Him

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By *eryBigGirlWoman
over a year ago

East Yorkshire

As I understand it if the meeting is about the sickness and either what they can do to support you back into work or discuss if you will ever be well enough to come back into post then yes they can.

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By *igmatt82Man
over a year ago

birmingham

They can but they normally request it if a member of staff has been off sick for a long period of time

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

They can contact you but can't Hasle you. I'd also say it has a little to do with what your off for ie if it was work related stress for instance they would be expected to use tack. See your union rep if you have 1. Im an ex union rep but to long out of it not to advise accurately

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

"Need advice pronto please.

Can a employer contact a sick worker to ask for a meeting whilst a valid sick cert is still valid?"

yes they can. a sick note from the doctor doesn't mean you cannot attend work under restricted duties. They may also want to discuss any phased return with you for when your sick note runs out etc.

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

They can definitely request you attend an appointment with a occupational health adviser or nurse

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

yes your employer can request a meeting whilst your on the sick but you can consider it as an act of harassment by your employer and have it recorded as such

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By *airy_Hetty OP Woman
over a year ago

Greater London

"Need advice pronto please.

Can a employer contact a sick worker to ask for a meeting whilst a valid sick cert is still valid?"

Further info re this:

work status is work p/t, 7 hrs per week.

Been off since 15th dec with drs note says off till 1/2/16

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

Yes; in fact they are supposed to; at least contact you: ( though they are not legally obliged to, I think )

Duty of care;

Welfare

Discuss return to work options,

Or to discuss further sick leave.

We always ensured contact was kept with sick employees;

Employers are also legally entitled to contact employees on long term sickness,

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

"yes your employer can request a meeting whilst your on the sick but you can consider it as an act of harassment by your employer and have it recorded as such "

Yes very true

I'd also advise you take a witness to any meeting preferably a rep but you can request anybody you like and also record any conversation but you must explain your recording the conversation if you don't as far as I can remember it can't be used as evidence

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

I should have added; they may arranged it through occupational health.

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By *oxy_minxWoman
over a year ago

Scotland - Aberdeen

"Need advice pronto please.

Can a employer contact a sick worker to ask for a meeting whilst a valid sick cert is still valid?"

Yes they can.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

"Need advice pronto please.

Can a employer contact a sick worker to ask for a meeting whilst a valid sick cert is still valid?

Further info re this:

work status is work p/t, 7 hrs per week.

Been off since 15th dec with drs note says off till 1/2/16"

irrespective of how many hours you work they still have a duty to be in contact with you and can refer you to occupational health or ACAS' 'fitforwork' scheme if they feel that the reason you are off may impact your ability to continue your employment with them or to see if there are any reasonable adjustments that can be made to facilitate your return to work.

Sick notes are not called sick notes anymore, they are called fit notes and as such it is not mandatory that you are off work for the full amount of time they give which is why employers contact those off sick to see if there is a way to facilitate a return to work in come capacity.

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By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

home visit if you can't travel or a location away from work if stress related

To offer additional support or referral agreement to Occupational Health Service

To agree a return to work plan and reasonable adjustments to be made.

All positive

And to check up on the known shirkers

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

It's always interesting to see employees thinking that employers are somehow intruding on their "rights" by requesting a meeting:

1. Employers have " rights" too: to ensure their employees do work as per their contracts. ( it's a contract: it's a two way street) and to find out when the employee is coming back: they may be having to employ temporary staff to cover.

2. They have a duty to the employees to look after their welfare.

One organisation I was in, were taken to an employment tribunal by the Union for NOT arranging meetings with sick employees .

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Five or so years ago I had to have six months off work, we agreed a meeting to discuss my phased return, what equipment I would need and to sort a reserved parking space. There was nothing sinister in it

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

"Five or so years ago I had to have six months off work, we agreed a meeting to discuss my phased return, what equipment I would need and to sort a reserved parking space. There was nothing sinister in it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

They can contact you to discuss return to work. Equally some firms have a policy that they must stay in touch. Not to worry you but an employer can let you go as well. I found out when my Hr depth asked me why I hadn't fired a girl on my team off long term. I said because I'm not a tosser.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

"They can contact you to discuss return to work. Equally some firms have a policy that they must stay in touch. Not to worry you but an employer can let you go as well. I found out when my Hr depth asked me why I hadn't fired a girl on my team off long term. I said because I'm not a tosser."

It's not about being a toss though is it? While someone is off long term you cannot replace them and everyone else has to cover the work they would be doing for nothing. You are paying for someone not to be there.

Ill health retirement can be considered in some cases where the employee will never be able to return to full duties or where there are no adjustments that can be made to their role to accomodate them. Why carry staff you cannot use?

I would wager that some benefits would not be able to be applied for for someone who is employed but long term sick too so it may be beneficial to them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

They can contact you as a show of concern policy they have if it's a large company they usually have a occupational health person who will request for a meeting if it is long term sick .but if you are only on a self cert and you have given a date when you will return to work then no they cannot ask for a meeting while you are off that is why companies have return to work inter_iews x

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By *oxy_minxWoman
over a year ago

Scotland - Aberdeen

"They can contact you as a show of concern policy they have if it's a large company they usually have a occupational health person who will request for a meeting if it is long term sick .but if you are only on a self cert and you have given a date when you will return to work then no they cannot ask for a meeting while you are off that is why companies have return to work inter_iews x "

I think it all depends on the type of sickness and also the length of time you have been signed off for.

Yes companies do have the right to contact you for regular updates and to also see their own occupational health. Or maybe even revoke sickness pay as most companies do have a limit of time they will pay you for.

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

I would wager that some benefits would not be able to be applied for for someone who is employed but long term sick too so it may be beneficial to them. "

You can be terminated when off sick if you have frustrated your contract.

Ill-health retirement is very difficult to get - you have to prove you will never work again not just in a specific role. We have a lawyer working with us who has no arms & virtually no legs. If she can work so can most people.

It may be they just want a well being visit? I certainly wouldn't refuse one. What does the company policy say? If it's not written into a sickness/absenteeism/welfare policy they can't do it. A bit like with school - as long as it's in a policy pretty much anything goes. If they have a policy saying boys must have short hair they must have short hair.

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By *erbyDalesCplCouple
over a year ago

Derbyshire

"Need advice pronto please.

Can a employer contact a sick worker to ask for a meeting whilst a valid sick cert is still valid?

Further info re this:

work status is work p/t, 7 hrs per week.

Been off since 15th dec with drs note says off till 1/2/16"

I would go as far as to say that with such a long sick-note, they are almost duty-bound to conduct an investigation. They will need to find out about the nature, extent and likely duration of the medical condition causing the absence, as well as ensuring that nothing at work could have contributed to the illness, thereby putting others at risk. A caring employer will always want to maintain contact with a sick employee.

Refusal to cooperate with such a reasonable request could itself be cause for dismissal.

Your contract should set out what they can/can't do, and will also set out your responsibilities too.

Mr ddc

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Check your company policy on this, each company is different. I worked for a company that I had to check in at the beginning of each sick note.

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By *S RachaelTV/TS
over a year ago

Lowestoft

I think you should ask by email, so you have a record, what the nature of the meeting is then speak to your doctor and ask if he agrees with your meeting them.

Itll prob be how they can help you to get back to work. A certificate is a certificate but the test is always reasonableness Is it reasonable for you to refuse; is it reasonable that your employer should ask for the meeting. etc...You both have a contract - you to do your best to attend work if fit to carry out your duties and they have a duty of care towards you. Whether they continue paying you will depend on your contract of employment.

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By *airy_Hetty OP Woman
over a year ago

Greater London

Thanks guys.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What were you off with?

Something completely debilitating or something like a sprained ankle where they could get you on light duties

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was off work for around three months this year, went in twice to discuss what was happening. No drama about it

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By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

Are you off until February, then it's very reasonable to meet you before then

Are you unable to do any duties

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

As well as a duty of contract to your employer you also have a duty of care to your own health. If off with mental health issues then ensure that your health won't worsen by any work related meeting. Many health professionals have limited expertise with mental health conditions, let alone an organization's employees.

I'd write to ask for more information, if their contact didn't reveal much. This highlights your willingness to be fully cooperative.

Before meeting them consider what it is that you want too. Are you looking for at least this noted period of time away and resting or do you have other expectations and needs?

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

Anything about employment law etc. you are not sure about the ACAS helpline is very good.

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By *orders2forUCouple
over a year ago

Hawick

Can't use private to contact you so this info may not work in the open forum.

Essentially yes they can as after all they are paying you.

There is an excellent UK legal forum called legal beagle. Personally I would ask on there where there is a legally orientated population.

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