Background: I have mobility problems. I applied for a job and disclosed this on the form. I attended interview using my walking aids. After induction I discovered my permanent desk was upstairs - no lift. I tried really hard but became increasingly run-down and in pain and my GP signed me off.
Since then, I have been invited to a number of wellbeing meetings. Ive been asked what would help and I have said level access working. Prior to the last one I'd asked for clarity re my job prior to the meeting but been told it was a meeting to discuss my welfare only. At the (3rd party hosted, only first name given but business card flashed at me) meeting they said they could not accomodate ground floor working but offered me a settlement of 2 weeks wages to accept then and there or they would press ahead with Occ H who would find me unfit for work and I would be dismissed. I asked for time to take advice. It was quite hostile and at the end of the meeting I said I felt pressured.
I contacted CAB (who have an ex-barrister avail for advice) who, on Friday, said she felt I had an arguable case for Disability Discrimination and should not agree to waive that for less than 8 weeks wages.
I looked for the business card of the 3rd party agent and could not locate it so i emailed my employers to say please can i have her details (i was only given a first name in the meeting).
I have today had a reply from owrk to say that 3rd party person indeed had offered her business card 'on the premise that the welfare meeting was being converted to a settlement meeting' which would then have facilitated direct contact with her through the settlement process. However she told me the reason she did not follow through on leaving her contact details was due to your preference to have the welfare process completed so you can understand our position before making a decision as to whether you would prefer to consider settlement instead but had not 'followed' through on giving it to me as I had been clear that i wished for the Welfare process to continue so 3rd party agent recommends work withdraw the verbal 'settlement' offer. If i wish for them to reconsider settlement i have until 2pm tomorrow.
I did NOT say I had decided I wished for the Welfare process to continue, but that I would like time to get advice and would revert to the person holding the meeting. I am signed off with stress and during the meeting i said that I felt pressured. The 3rd party person followed me out to my car and was fairly unpleasant throughout. I will not be given the minutes of the meeting until the back end of next week, yet the are giving me until 2pm tomorrow to respond?
I'd like to run this past the CAB,
IABU to ask to have until Friday?