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Sickness and home visit....... can they sack me?

12 replies

nat24 · 24/01/2007 13:29

Can anyone help? Ive been absent from work since 30th oct as i was involved in a car crash and badly hurt my back and neck. At the time of the accident i was also pregnant but didnt know. A few days before i was due to go back to work i was rushed into hospital for emergency surgery as my pregnancy was found ectopic.

During my time off i have been in constant contact with my boss and always kept him updated on whats going on. He has been very considerate especially since the ectopic pregnancy, even sent me flowers.

Today i have received a letter from the HR dept stating that my boss and a rep from HR want to do a home visit on Friday. Im now a little worried of what will happen.

Im due to go back to work on 5th Feb but dont feel that im able to do the same job. I work in a call centre on the phones which is VERY stresful. I have a target to meet everyday and dont think that im going to be able to deal with it all. Since the loss of my pregnancy i have been an emotional wreck. Im finding it very hard to talk to people about anything and im still constantly crying. Theres no way im going to be able to sit there talking to customers and try to convince them to buy something.

Im just worried cos if i tell my boss how im feeling he might sack me as im unable to do the job that im employed to do.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What would you advise me to do?

Thanks for reading,
Nat

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julienetmum · 24/01/2007 13:39

It is standard procedure in many companies once youhave been off for a while.

I remember when my boss was off sick after an op she had to go to bee seen and she said they were really helpful. SHe already had her back to work date but theymade all sorts of recommendations about easing her back in, what could be altered to help her etc etc.

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fizzbuzz · 24/01/2007 13:43

Do they do a phased return? I was off 5 months with a bad back, and returned to work in a stepped manner. Eg 2 mornings first week, 4 the next etc. It was really helpful, because EVERBODY loses confidence when they have been off work for a long time.

Also loss of pregnancy, you sound depressed which is a normal reaction, but you may need ad's I was like that after a miscarriage and was put on AD's. I went back to work, because being occupied was better than sat brooding all day.

I suspect that is why you are scared of going back. It is very scary after a lost baby, I was terrified of going to work, but once I was there it felt much better.

I work as a teacher, so councils are pretty good about long term sickness and phased returns etc. However your company sound caring, so why not level with them. The loss of a baby is very traumatic. They may help you.

Fingers crossed for you. I don't think they can sack you for being ill anyway. You are protected by recent disability legislation, I'm almost sure.

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KezzaG · 24/01/2007 13:46

there are very lenghtly procedures to be able to dismiss someone due to sickness, and tbh it sounds like your company might just be trying to do the right thing and make sure you are well.

there is a respnsibility on them as employers to give you a duty of care and they may just want to talk to you about what you can and cant do when you return.

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Heavenis · 24/01/2007 13:47

You will have been off about three months.This is standard procedure for most places. I wouldn't worry to much about the visit. They can't sack you for being off sick.
Some places have a policy that you would go onto half pay after 6 months.

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nat24 · 24/01/2007 14:21

Hi and thanks for all the replies

im not sure if they do a phased return to work but it does sound like a good idea. I'll ask them about it on Friday. Would it affect my pay though i.e. only getting paid for the hours that i work. Im sorry to here of the loss of your baby fizzbuzz it is a terrible thing to go through. I think that i may be suffering from depression but dont want to go on AD's. Doc did offer them but i declined as was on them in my teens and found it very hard to come off them. Plus DP and i are hoping to ttc again Feb/March time. im absolutly terrified about going back. I know that im not going to be able to cope but ive got to do something. I cant keep staring at the same 4 walls.

In regards to pay. I think that the company gives 2 months full pay and then 2 months half pay. I was supposed to go on half pay in december but my MD had words with HR and she was able to keep me on full pay.

I will ask about a phased return to work. That sounds like a really good idea. Just hope they agree.

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fizzbuzz · 24/01/2007 14:27

I got paid for a phased return, but you can do it by using your holidays in some way if you don't get paid for it

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nat24 · 24/01/2007 14:33

oh thats good. ill definatly ask them about it. thanks for the advice.

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nat24 · 26/01/2007 11:57

Hi,my boss and a rep from HR will be here in the next hour. Im going to ask them about a phased return to work but can you suggest anything else i should ask?

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KezzaG · 26/01/2007 12:10

Do you have an occupational health dept? It looks good on you if you offer to see them, and then they can liaise with your manager and HR and verify that you are ill/stressed. It gives you a bit of a safeguard against any doubt and will look good on you that you want to cooperate and get better.

I cantt hink of anything for you to ask, but i they fo make noises about you not being able to come back I would ask to see copies of your contract and HR policies on sickness and long/medium term disability and take it from there.

Hope it goes well

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PoppiesMum · 26/01/2007 12:24

Standard procedure - don't worry. My employer does home visits after 4 weeks of absence. The point is to see how you are doing, and find out what they can do to help you back to work. Be honest with them, and explain what you feel you can and cant do.

Most employers will offer a gradual return if you want, i.e. building up to your hours gradually buy starting off with shorter days and shifts.

Good luck!

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nat24 · 26/01/2007 12:40

Thanks guys. Im not sure aboub the Ocupational Health Dept. I dont think they have one. They do have a company doctor though, if thats a similar thing.

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nat24 · 26/01/2007 14:35

Damn it!! I got myself all worked up ready for there visit. I even had a list of things to ask and now there not coming. 2and a half hours after there supposed to be here, ive just had a call to say that they cant come as a major emergency has come up. There now coming Tuesday.