Work won’t send me to occupational health

[Mumstights]

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?

Can you not refer yourself?

Is your GP involved at all?

Have you been to your GP, your HR department or your Union?

Have you spoken to your GP? When my GP signed me off, it was a condition of my return that OH were involved (admittedly OH are generally quite useless in my experience)

@mynameiscalypso

Have you spoken to your GP? When my GP signed me off, it was a condition of my return that OH were involved (admittedly OH are generally quite useless in my experience)

I don’t want to get to the point where I leave work…. That’s why I’m asking them to Send me to OH before.

Sorry should have said that

Go to your GP. You may need them to sign you off work. Then ask for OH to be involved as part of your return to work.

@XenoBitch

Is your GP involved at all?

No. She told me to to ask my GP but they will sign me of imo, they don’t have any powers.

@Helpstopthepain

Can you not refer yourself?

Don’t think so.

@JurgensCakeBaby

Have you been to your GP, your HR department or your Union?

It’s apparently coming from my HR department

@HundredMilesAnHour

Go to your GP. You may need them to sign you off work. Then ask for OH to be involved as part of your return to work.

Isn’t that a bit of abusing the system?

What are you hoping OH will do? That sounds like a sarky question but it's not meant to be - just trying to work out the best way to approach it. I would still think GP is first port of call. OH fulfil a purpose but that purpose isn't always to look after you.

Why not get a fit note stating that you would be fit to perform duties with X adjustments from the GP but that they recommend that you are referred to OH as part of that adjustment?

What support would you like put in place?

Your gp could write a fit note that says you can work if xyz conditions are met, i think.

She told me to to ask my GP but they will sign me of imo, they don’t have any powers.

What powers are you needing? Is there a something in particular you want done?

@mynameiscalypso

What are you hoping OH will do? That sounds like a sarky question but it's not meant to be - just trying to work out the best way to approach it. I would still think GP is first port of call. OH fulfil a purpose but that purpose isn't always to look after you.

I just keep on being asked what I want from work and I really don’t know. I just want an independent person I can chat to, put a plan in place and no fear or saying anything bad about the company/or something taken the wrong way.

@Gladioli23

Why not get a fit note stating that you would be fit to perform duties with X adjustments from the GP but that they recommend that you are referred to OH as part of that adjustment?

Good idea!

What do you want OH to do? What do you want from them? I don’t understand. You don’t want to be signed off sick by your GP?

What do you want to happen?

We can then work out the right path for you to take

Do you have an employee assistance programme or anything like that? That might be better than OH which tends to be more practical in my experience.

I work in OH. You need need go to your GP first and foremost. Get help for your mental health condition, be that medication, being signed off, counselling, steps to wellbeing etc......

Then after you have done that you can approach your work regarding a OH referral. At the moment you don't stay what you expect OH to do, they are there to see how/when you can be in work and what adjustments may be required for that to happen, it is purely from a work point of view they won't be able to get down to the nitty gritty of your mental health conditions and give you treatments.

Does your work have an employee assistance programme? They may be able to help with counselling etc... if they do.

OH can't treat you or sign you off from work. They cannot prescribe or recommend treatment. You need to see your GP for that.

Their function is ultimately to minimise sickness absence for the employer.

@ItsSnowJokes

I work in OH. You need need go to your GP first and foremost. Get help for your mental health condition, be that medication, being signed off, counselling, steps to wellbeing etc......

Then after you have done that you can approach your work regarding a OH referral. At the moment you don't stay what you expect OH to do, they are there to see how/when you can be in work and what adjustments may be required for that to happen, it is purely from a work point of view they won't be able to get down to the nitty gritty of your mental health conditions and give you treatments.

Does your work have an employee assistance programme? They may be able to help with counselling etc... if they do.

Hello.

I’m getting as much support as possible with my mental health from the CMHT….. which is currently zero. GP can’t do anything more.

I don’t want to be signed of sick. I’m not doing my job very well.

EAP… I call the NHS support team because it’s available 24/7 and really I don’t see how the EAP will provide any other assistance. I have spent £££ on private therapy and do have skills etc. I will call the Mental Health Helpline and they can provide referrals etc. Not sure how speaking to EAP will help? Willing to understand.

@Mum6776

OH can't treat you or sign you off from work. They cannot prescribe or recommend treatment. You need to see your GP for that.

Their function is ultimately to minimise sickness absence for the employer.

The last sentence is what I want to speak to them about.

Ok. Is there anything you think might help you?