WIBU to get signed off sick for this long?

[owlpacker]

Hi, long time lurker but have an issue I can’t wrap my head around and had to post. Hoping someone with good HR/employment law knowledge or a similar experience might be able to help!

My DH suffered a seizure last week. It was very unexpected and a shock to us all. To keep a long story short, as a result, he has had his driving license suspended for 6 months. This is a huge issue as he works at a job that is impossible to get to without a car - and I mean impossible. There are no buses or trains within walking distance; the nearest train stop would still leave him half an hour away by car. I work 45 mins in the opposite direction so can’t drop him off. We have recently moved and now live 1hr 15 commute each way from his work so a taxi isn’t financially viable either.

Currently, he is signed off sick because the seizure has aggravated a previous shoulder injury caused by a car accident a couple of years ago and he is unable to carry out his job. Not to mention, he can barely seem to remember his own name!

My concern is that his work are already calling asking how he plans to get himself into work when he is well enough, but I just can’t see this job being an option for him at all. He was looking for another job nearer to home anyway and will continue to do so, but would it be unreasonable to continue being signed off sick until his driving license is reinstated or he finds another job?

To clarify, he does qualify for company sick pay (basically full pay) for 3 months and we cannot afford to pay the mortgage without his salary. We feel terribly guilty at the thought of having him signed off sick a week at a time for 3 months with his employer breathing down our necks, but I just can’t see another option?

TIA for your advice

I think he needs to stay in work if there is any way he can.

Maybe going back 2 days then 3 days. You drive him down tues, he stays at the cheapest B&B for 2 nights, you pick him up thurs night.

When he feels better he can progress to 3 long days and eventually back up to 5 normal days?

Also check out lift share websites maybe. Another option is to rent out your house and rent one near public transport, I guess.

From what the OP is commenting on his state it seems to me it will be a while yet before he can be left to his own devices let alone drive.

I hope your GP is going to by sympathic towards him,

Poor sod, and you OP:!

But I'm not a Neurologist!

I hope he makes a speedy recovery OP.

Just a note on access to work from someone who has applied, it takes flipping ages to apply and be assesed. It also requires liasing with the companys HR so they need to be on the ball about what you are trying to get out the application. I'm not saying its not worth it but its not as straight forward as some believe. My application took 12 months to process!

@owlpacker I'm really well thank you. Fully controlled and have been for 15 years.

I don't want to worry you but it took 6 months for my diagnosis after 1st seizure and I couldn't be alone in that time because of the risk. I know other posters think they're helping, but it's completely unrealistic to look at him going back to work and living in a B&B away from home.

Obviously I hope he's had a random seizure and will have no more (this is definitely possible, everyone has a small % of having a random seizure out of the blue), but I would be pushing neurology for advice. The GP will have no idea, but the neurologist will be able to explain the current risks and how best to manage things. If he's confused about day / conversations then it's not fair for his employer to be brushing it off like it's nothing.

In the short term he may be able to apply for pip mobility or access to work, but longer term looking for work accessible by public transport may be essential - dd still isn't allowed to drive despite being 3 years seizure free.

@MyOpinionIsValid you must notify the DVLA. It's not a choice.

The logistics of getting to work are a totally separate issue.

He stays signed off sick for as long as he is sick. Nothing to do with his license or getting to work.
Once he is medically ready to return to work if he isn’t able to get there he will have to hand his notice in.

But if hes only got 3 months sick pay, he'll then drop onto ssp for any time signed after that. So if he needs 3 more months it will be at that rate.
I think you need to budget accordingly for that scenario.

Once you have more idea of the prognosis, it might be a good idea speak to the mortgage company about a payment holiday or reduced payments for a couple of months. If sick pay at work is exhausted this could be preferable to using credit cards and the additional stress around paying those off.

Owlpacker my hospital discharge notes (mine are sent automatically but you may have to enquire) usually state "follow up" action with any tests required. I think (I have adult epilepsy that arrived out of the blue) I had a "first fit" clinic where they explained everything to me, I had lots of blood tests, MRI and ?EEG (heart ones). Your GP may have access to this if he sees them about a sick note anyway.

It was a very worrying time for us too and I felt bad for my DH, I know my first seizure was terrifying as he had no idea what was going on. I don't remember it but I do remember him being terrified and watching me anxiously for ages, he still does to an extent now, especially if I'm tired etc. Were you with your DH when he had his seizure?

If he has had a clear CAT and the docs think it's work related, I really hope for you both it will be a one off and in six months time he can drive again. Has he surrendered his licence to the DVLA, I was advised to do this as they take a better view of you surrendering and then asking for it back when clear.

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, he should be eligible for a travel pass from your local authority, which really helps me.

Have they said anything about his memory? Post ictal mine worsens and effects can last around a week and I was advised this is normal (but mine is poor anyway due to other reasons which hopefully won't be the case for you if it's a one off).

I also agree it's unrealistic at this stage to talk about B and Bs etc when it's a period of uncertainty.

This initial uncertainty was one of the worse parts for me, I like knowing exactly what's going on and to plan for everything (I'm really annoying ) If you want me to explain what happened when I had my second seizure I'm happy to do so, but there may be no point? Hopefully it is a one off for your DH.