Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work won’t send me to occupational health

113 replies

Mumstights · 16/11/2021 20:31

Work won’t send me to OH due to my mental health that worsening.

They know it’s a disability since I started 2 years ago.

I won’t go into details as boss might read MumsNet but I just need a bit of guidance.

Boss stated HR are stating there is no need. I’ve noticed my MH worsening recently and this week I’ve done no work due to poor concentration etc.

Any guidance?

OP posts:
madisonbridges · 17/11/2021 01:08

I spoke to them yesterday and they said “would you like to be signed of, would that help”. So yes they make it very easy.

Some people need to be signed off because work is making their mental health worse. GPS are going to risk anyone commuting suicide because they made the carry iff working.
Just because they make it easy to get signed off, it doesn't mean you have to go along with it. They're simply your first call for medication and ongoing therapy.

VanGoghsDog · 17/11/2021 01:04

[quote Mumstights]@VanGoghsDog not literally…. Meant work stuff[/quote]
So your manager does speak to you?

TALK TO THEM.

TimeForTeaAndG · 17/11/2021 01:00

How big is your workplace? If you have occupational health and EAP etc I'm guessing it isn't a small business. In which case there's usually policies for 121 timings which, if your manager is ignoring, you can take to HR as a grievance.

Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:53

@VanGoghsDog not literally…. Meant work stuff

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:52

@Thefuturestory

I appreciate your mental health is poor at the moment but you are being really rude to done posters which have given you good advice.

You’ve been quite obstructive too. If you haven’t had a 121 in 18 mths then that’s poor. However you’ve also had 18mths to raise that too.

I did. Manager stated they are too busy.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:52

@EmeraldShamrock

It’s your managers who don’t manage people so work builds up etc. Plus it’s convenient for me to work there, 2 mins from home. In the winter I can’t be fucked with anything because I’m soooo tired due to the weather. I’ve also got a lot on my plate at home and also you don’t give me training and expect new processes to go smoothly. Etc. Are you expecting OH to sort out the management, if you can't keep up with the work load during the winter weather how does that work? Do you stay home?
Cbf to even answer this
OP posts:
Viviennemary · 17/11/2021 00:46

Do you want your duties to be adjusted.

EmeraldShamrock · 17/11/2021 00:39

It’s your managers who don’t manage people so work builds up etc. Plus it’s convenient for me to work there, 2 mins from home. In the winter I can’t be fucked with anything because I’m soooo tired due to the weather. I’ve also got a lot on my plate at home and also you don’t give me training and expect new processes to go smoothly. Etc.
Are you expecting OH to sort out the management, if you can't keep up with the work load during the winter weather how does that work?
Do you stay home?

Thefuturestory · 17/11/2021 00:31

I appreciate your mental health is poor at the moment but you are being really rude to done posters which have given you good advice.

You’ve been quite obstructive too. If you haven’t had a 121 in 18 mths then that’s poor. However you’ve also had 18mths to raise that too.

Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:19

@EmeraldShamrock

Which I’m quite happy to do. I just really want someone that’s not my boss or people at work. That is fair and you should be entitled to do that once you've made the request through your boss. Keep everything noted and send emails when possible. Unless your boss has medical training it isn't there remit to question the request.
I’ve got the EAP or whatever it’s called calling me tomorrow
OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 17/11/2021 00:18

Which I’m quite happy to do. I just really want someone that’s not my boss or people at work.
That is fair and you should be entitled to do that once you've made the request through your boss.
Keep everything noted and send emails when possible.
Unless your boss has medical training it isn't there remit to question the request.

Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:08

@BloodyAlarms

When we refer to OH it's usually because of people's poor sickness records/or to get advice to ensure we are meeting someone's needs / that OH feel they are still able to do their role (the latter being me).

Basically all OH have done for me is to listen to what I say I need - different lighting in the office, ability to work from home, if needed, regular breaks and to suggest that any sickness related to my disabilities isn't marked against our sickness policy.

So even if you did get a referral, you would need to know what it is you need.

Which I’m quite happy to do. I just really want someone that’s not my boss or people at work.
OP posts:
BloodyAlarms · 17/11/2021 00:06

When we refer to OH it's usually because of people's poor sickness records/or to get advice to ensure we are meeting someone's needs / that OH feel they are still able to do their role (the latter being me).

Basically all OH have done for me is to listen to what I say I need - different lighting in the office, ability to work from home, if needed, regular breaks and to suggest that any sickness related to my disabilities isn't marked against our sickness policy.

So even if you did get a referral, you would need to know what it is you need.

VanGoghsDog · 17/11/2021 00:04

[quote Mumstights]@VanGoghsDog they don’t want to push people out/on sick[/quote]
I don't understand what you're talking about.

Speak to your manager, or their manager, or a regional manager, or HR, or a union, or an employee rep of some kind, or the EAP.

You say your manager doesn't speak to you, so how did they convey this refusal to involve OH?

Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:02

I feel like I’m having convos with 20 people… forums can be overwhelming

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:01

@VanGoghsDog they don’t want to push people out/on sick

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumstights · 17/11/2021 00:00

@Somebodylikeyew

You seem to have a view of the remit of OH that is slightly at odds with how most of us understand them to function within a company and, more crucially, how they seem to function within YOUR company.

Pragmatically, what you want is to feel able to stay at work, right? So how about putting the concept of OH to one side for a bit and coming up with, say, 3-5 things you feel would help you achieve that. They could be:

I need to WFH at least two days a week.
I need to be in the office and seeing people.
I need to put a fixed lunchbreak in my calendar each day and to feel that management are supportive of me ringfencing this.
I need to set an alarm to go off to remind me to take regular screenbreaks.
I need further training in xyz.
I need support to resolve an issue with colleague X.

Are there any statements like that you can think of that would help where you’re currently at?

And tell who?

My manager has stated “I can tell you aren’t happy with the job” well actually I am generally. It’s your managers who don’t manage people so work builds up etc. Plus it’s convenient for me to work there, 2 mins from home. In the winter I can’t be fucked with anything because I’m soooo tired due to the weather. I’ve also got a lot on my plate at home and also you don’t give me training and expect new processes to go smoothly. Etc.

No job is perfect.

OP posts:
VanGoghsDog · 16/11/2021 23:54

@Mumstights

^indeed someone was at work and off for 9 months and she was on the same pay grade as me.
What has this got to do with anything?
EmeraldShamrock · 16/11/2021 23:54

@Somebodylikeyew I thought your advice was very helpful.

Original poster
Mumstights · 16/11/2021 23:53

^indeed someone was at work and off for 9 months and she was on the same pay grade as me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumstights · 16/11/2021 23:52

@EmeraldShamrock

She told me to to ask my GP but they will sign me of imo, they don’t have any power She probably would prefer you to be signed off if you're struggling to the point of being there in body but not mind. Jobs really don't care business will come before help, if business is affected they take the opportunity to push the person out unless it is a very reputable company. I'd visit the GP instead, keep works involvement to a minimum.
I’m hoping my company isn’t like that.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mumstights · 16/11/2021 23:50

Right so I need to talk to company but who. I’ve not had a 121 in 18 months and the managers are really busy.

When I’ve spoken to one she likes to throw stuff at me, but not listen.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 16/11/2021 23:50

She told me to to ask my GP but they will sign me of imo, they don’t have any power
She probably would prefer you to be signed off if you're struggling to the point of being there in body but not mind.
Jobs really don't care business will come before help, if business is affected they take the opportunity to push the person out unless it is a very reputable company.
I'd visit the GP instead, keep works involvement to a minimum.

SandyY2K · 16/11/2021 23:50

I don't know how HR works in your organisation, but a referral to OH is usually the manager's decision. Manager's often blame HR to deflect.

I suggest you put in writing to your manager and copy in HR. State thst you would like a referral and state why.

I've read all your posts and I'm not entirely clear what you want from OH. It seems like you want to talk to someone about your MH issues and possibly for them to make recommendations to support you in the workplace.

One if the things OH will want to know is how are your MH issues affecting your work and what changes can be made to support you.

Original poster
Mumstights · 16/11/2021 23:48

@madisonbridges

No, the GP won't just sign you off. When I had depression, my gp actually thought it would be beneficial to have me stay at work. Counselling was through the NHS. My OH did nothing. They were just administrators who checked the law was being followed. However when my situation dragged on, OH did send me to a specialist to evaluate me. He was in their pay and worked for them, although I'm sure he didn't reveal anything we'd talked about to the company. Ultimately he decided it would be best if I didn't work for them anymore.
I spoke to them yesterday and they said “would you like to be signed of, would that help”. So yes they make it very easy.
OP posts: