formal meeting after absence due to illness

[parateach]

I'm wondering what to expect.

For context, I'm a teacher assistant. Been working at this school for the past 16 years.

I have had non stop bleeding for the past months (sometimes heavy, sometimes days without it and sometimes drops) and stomach ache, fatigue, and lately hemorrhoids.

Been to the doctor several times, done several tests but they all came inconclusive. They suspect various things, including endometriosis, and are ruling out the different options through tests. I have a scan incoming as well as a meeting with the gynaecologist. But until then I'm not able to know.
I've been given medications that barely have any effects.

I was supposed to go back to school in August (Scotland), but have been unable to. I showed them doctor's letters and medical certificates. I've always been too ill to go back and had to unfortunately keep extending. I was supposed to go back today but I was still not feeling 100% and told them I would be staying in until the gynaecologist told me what was going on later this week.

They have now requested a formal meeting whenever I'm back.

You don’t mention ever having been signed off by a GP?

* I showed them doctor's letters and medical certificates*

yes but does this include a formal sign off from a GP?

how long have you been with the school?

Yes I have been signed off

I've been with them 16 years

Any period of extended illness at my company needs a formal meeting when back, that's just normal procedure.

For how long?

OMG, can people please, for the love of God, READ the OP!!

OP they may want to refer you to occupational health. On paper, this meeting will be about "supporting you", but it isn't unfortunately always like that. A lot of employers, especially public sector employers, have strict triggers and processes regarding sick leave, and due to the length of time you've had off, you will have triggered them. I would say go along with an open mind and work with your employer if there is anything they can do to help you get back to work. Familiarise yourself with their sickness policy and make sure they follow it properly.

It’s predominantly an interview for welfare purposes and to fill you in on any changes that might have happened in your absence. You’ll be asked if you’d like to be referred to OHS or to have any adjustments made.

The manager will clarify the sickness policy and any ‘triggers’ and should explain any consequences of your long absence to you in relation to the policy.

Do you have a copy of your employment contract? It might be a good idea to check what it says regarding long term sickness, just so you have all the correct information before the meeting. They might just be keeping themselves right and checking if there's anything they can do to make reasonable adjustments etc. You don't say if it's primary or high school- if it's high school it doesn't surprise me. Hope you have answers soon and that your employer is reasonable.

Thank you everyone!
It's a primary school

Any period of sickness is subject to a return to work interview where I work (HR, civil service).

If it’s a formal managing attendance meeting you’ll have a formal invite and be told of your right to be accompanied by a TU rep or companion. Has this happened? If so, you should prepare adequately, your rep can help you. As it’s one long period of absence. It seems appropriate that you go to OH.

Am happy to help if you want to DM. Good luck.

I had a formal meeting before and they just wanted to check I was OK and for any adjustments. Hopefully it's just that.

At my old school, we had to have return ti work interviews for ONE DAY absence! This could just be your school's standard procedure. However, do read up on your school's policy and prepare yourself in case.

We’ve always had ‘Return to work’ interviews as well. It’s fairly standard , especially after a long period of illness.

I manage a team and have to do a return to work meeting for any absence - even one day. I think that’s pretty standard.

I had one of these many years ago in the retail but it was a entirely different situation, I called sick too often ( as I wanted to be nonstop with my then boyfriend- I can’t actually believe I did that) anyway, they also required a formal meeting.
I sat with about 4 of my bosses around round table and I had to explain reasons for my absence.
Obviously they did not believe me and I was put on black list of no overtime/ no authorised holidays until I improved my attendance.
I was also long time with them ( 10 yrs )

Seriously? What a waste of time. I don't live in the UK, but have never in my entire working life (almost 50 years) had to attend a return to work meeting. I could understand it after a prolonged absence, but one day????

Oh yes. And if they’ve been off with anything like d&v, I have to ask them if they’d like some support in good hand washing techniques and how to clean their keyboard 🥴

Wtf?????????

I've just remembered my friend did have a return to work meeting - after she was off for several months with a broken neck!!

Yes, completely normal. I was off for 3 months and had one on my return. It was basically about my working pattern when I came back and how they could support me. I was also terrified as I hated having to take time off, but actually it was a really helpful meeting.

We have these. There’s a return to work interview after every single absence, even a day, where the manager just asks whether we’re ok, fit to be working and whether there’s anything we need (something like a bad back might need a desk assessment to make sure your chair and desk is set up properly).

And then we have attendance management meetings when we hit our absence trigger points (a certain number of days or occasions). Our attendance is discussed, a referral to OHS is offered and the manager decides whether or not to give a formal written warning, to hold off until the OHS referral is done or to take nfa. So something like surgery or a broken leg would be a one off and probably wouldn’t warrant a warning. Taking every Friday off with an upset stomach might do, unless there’s a good reason. There’s a very strict procedure to these meetings. You have to be invited in writing with a minimum notice period, be provided with a copy of the attendance policy and be given the option of being accompanied by a union rep. There’s also a note taker and you have to be provided with a copy of the notes and have a decision issued within a specific timescale. I think it’s quite standard in the public sector.

You should have access to your school’s attendance management policy which will tell you exactly what to expect.

I understood from your post that you were supposed to go back ie. your doctors sign off period had completed. But you weren't feeling 100%. You didn't say you were in pain or feeling really rough but just not on top form.

I might be misunderstanding your post but many people go to work when they're not feeling 100%.

Seriously? What a waste of time. I don't live in the UK, but have never in my entire working life (almost 50 years) had to attend a return to work meeting. I could understand it after a prolonged absence, but one day????

I fully agree with you. Thankfully I've only come across this in one school I've worked in, but based on this thread it looks like it might be more common than I feared. Madness!

I've worked for big companies and we've always done return to work interviews. These were not a punishment or disciplinary, they were to ascertain if the staff member was feeling OK, needed any adjustments to hours or conditions and what we could do to support. Basically a catch up and offering support to the person so they could carry out their job happily and safely. I hope you get some answers about your condition OP, best of luck.

but I was still not feeling 100% and told them I would be staying in until the gynaecologist told me what was going on later this week.

how many of us feel 100% always?

that seems a very very high standard of health OP for you to use as a reason not to go in to work