What do I do? Can they force me to attend?

[ShalommJackie]

I'm off sick at the moment. Partly due to a grievance I have put in against my senior leadership team and partly due to having cancer surgery this week.

Government guidance surrounding my job and the application of it in practice is about to change and therefore my job is about to be so much harder, the meeting to discuss the implications and procedures etc is on Friday. I'm having cancer surgery on Thursday and will not be staying overnight

My manager has decided I need to attend this On a teams meeting but the issue is I'd be the only person to attend via zoom and I am unsure as to how much pain I'll be in.

So aibu to say no, I will attend a catch up session if needed?

That's insane OP! 😮
Cheeky buggers. Time for that union to step up.

Hold your ground & hope you get better soon! xx

This

What a load of bollocks op! Utter bastards. I’m glad you’re looking at getting a note, shouldn’t have to come to that though.

PPs are making a good point about GA. I struggled to unlock my front door after getting home from mine as I was so out of it, and didn’t feel right for 4 days.

Also it’s not a 100% guarantee you won’t need an overnight stay is it. They may wish to keep you in for example if there are any issues with BP.

Best of luck for your procedure this week and for your recovery OP 💐

Surely it depends on what the operation is?

I’ve had a suspect mole removed for biopsy which could be described as a “cancer operation” but I was back in work the next day feeling fine.

Advice from pp about a fit note applies and if you’re unwell of course you should’t be expected to work, either in the office or remotely.

I'm not sure I have enough swear words for this.
Concentrate on you, and instruct the union to concentrate on them.
All the best for the surgery, get that sick note, and do not contemplate return to work of any sort until you are ready.

It depends on your job, for me personally there are work related conditions that being a day post surgery wouldn’t excuse me from (heck even being a day post birth didn’t excuse me from) but I assume you don’t work for the MoJ

Oh also if you really need to op, you can call ACAS for advice. I rang them recently when my work were trying make me respond to emails and join meetings less than 3 weeks after having a c section.

I knew you were working in the NHS from your first post!

Get a sick note, this is shocking. As soon as someone says the word cancer at my company you can do what you want (on full pay). Definitely don't attend and good luck with surgery 💐

It doesn’t surprise me one jot. So glad I’m retired.

If you hare having a general anaesthetic, the advice is generally not to do anything that requires making important decisions, including signing legal documents, for at least 24 hours. The reason for that is that your judgment and your ability to take information and evaluate it are impaired. So it's not as if they can expect you to contribute anything useful to the meeting or to learn anything from it.

Get a sick note just to cover yourself - not that you should really need it! Shocking lack of empathy from your employer, I would be upset to even be asked to do this. Take care.

Absolutely would believe it! This is the experience not only of me myself, but of multiple friends and colleagues too. The NHS is not a considerate or reasonable employer!🤷🏻‍♀️💐

Are there other people? Join in and groan and mention how you had cancer surgery yesterday and being forced to attend regardless. Jones aside. Don't do it. Get a suck note and contact every higher up.

Assuming this is reasonably substantial surgery, as set out above by others, you are not being unreasonable and should definitely get the sick note. Even if you were somehow well enough to dial in, how on earth do they think you're going to be in a position to concentrate on the meeting, between medical staff wandering in and out, pain, medication, anxiety etc.

Maybe suggest that they can record the meeting on Zoom or MS Teams and you can watch it back in your own time when you are well enough to do so and ask any questions then? That way they don't have to repeat the whole thing to you again in a few weeks time?

Ridiculous.

Cancer is considered a disability once diagnosed, regardless of symptoms, so you have the equality act on your side. They can't treat you less favourably because of a disability.

Could you clarify if it's a suspect mole removal or much more invasive surgery with anaesthetic? Because your manager's zoom request is perfectly reasonable if it's the mole.

Wow. You definitely should not go back into work!

Get we'll soon and I am sorry you're going through this.

I work for the NHS. My boss is forcing me to return back to the office even when I am having side effects from medication and my driving is at risk.

Also, after being off with my mental health I had to use my AL for my phased return so I have none now. April isn't far away thank god.

@ShalommJackie Sadly, yes, I would believe this of the NHS!
No wonder staff leavs; managers have no compassion for their staff.
Sending +ve vibes +++

Get a sick note just to cover yourself - not that you should really need it!

Of course she needs a fit note if she’s off for more than 5 days, regardless of the cause of illness. It’s a legal document that evidences you’re not fit for work.

I don't work for the NHS and I find this completely shocking. No wonder we're losing experienced staff in the NHS if this is how you're treated.

This saying about a mole . I had a suspect mole removed , I thought it would be fine the next day , it was not. I had over 30 stitches ( they take a wide margin and it was quite deep) dressings which meant I couldn’t shower and because of the position of the mole I couldn’t lift my arm at all . The pain was awful for a day or so . Please don’t make generalised assumptions .

That’s awful OP. Please just concentrate on getting better and switch off from work.

If I fell down dead tomorrow, work would have no problem replacing me in an instant. Bosses forget that.

In this situation I would send a copy of the letter confirming my operation - to my team lead - confirming why I won't be able to attend. I highly doubt you have any legal obligation to attend under these circumstances. The SLT should be ashamed to not accept such obvious documentation.