How do I address this?

rampold · 2024-12-01T23:29:10+00:00

So I was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year. I've been off work since Feb with all the different treatments etc. I work for the nhs My manager is an absolute nightmare and has been as supportive as a non wired bra. She called my drs pretending to be me because she didn't believe my sick note so rang them and asked them to send her my medical records. It was only because I speak to the receptionist so bloody often that they didn't believe it was me. Then she sent 3 really offensive emails to my drs essentially saying that she would get a court order to see my medical records. She also told me I couldn't have annual leave whilst off sick but hr put her in her place on that one. I've also asked to work from home because we can work from home in our role but she said no because she wanted to listen to what I was saying to clients. Finally she asked why i was off in January for a week and asked me to tell her what medication i was on (lithium) and then asked if I was a danger to her as the door to her office was closed. I spoke to unison about it and they were absolutely incredible. Anyway I've applied for a different job and I know my current manager will not give me a positive reference and will highlight how long I've been off for. How do I address it? Do I bring it up at the interview or when they get the reference? This job I've applied for is hybrid so I will be able to work from home and have my own autonomous case load and I know I can do it

Kedece · 01/12/2024 23:31

I'd be raising a grievance against her for a start. Her behaviour is appaling. Can you put someone else down for a reference someone from HR?

All references tend to do these days is confirm you worked for the company from date a to date b. It shouldn't matter if it's not your immediate manager

ACynicalDad · 01/12/2024 23:32

I'd speak to your current HR and ask them to manage the reference, if they give you a bad one and it's not 100% justifiable I think you can sue and that risk will mean HR will hopefully look after you.

PeriPeriMam · 01/12/2024 23:33

This sounds absolutely awful. You shouldn't need a reference from your manager, you can supply an HR reference. Can you pursue the trust for constructive dismissal? Also, calling your doctor and pretending to be you etc- if your manager is a healthcare professional that's pretty much in the territory of getting suspended or struck off, surely??

staceyflack · 01/12/2024 23:40

Your manager needs to be sacked. I hope you get the job... and after 'taking her to the cleaners', don't look back! As if you haven't got enough going on. What an absolute dragon. Best of luck 🌷

paranoiaofpufflings · 01/12/2024 23:49

If you have cancer and have been on sick leave since February, I think it would be sensible for you to bring this to the attention of your potential new employer yourself, not wait until your current manager mentions it or until you start doing the job. That's significant information that a new employer needs to know. If you're still able to work, explain to them that you can, and how you will do it.

A reference should come from HR, not from your line manager. References these days are not personal, but factual, confirming that you have worked there and when you began.

Beyond that, I'd be pursuing a grievance against your manager for gross misconduct. She has committed fraud against the NHS by pretending to be you in order to access medical information. This would be bad enough for anyone else, but the fact that your employer is the NHS makes it worse. Surely grounds for dismissal.

Original poster

rampold · 01/12/2024 23:58

paranoiaofpufflings · 01/12/2024 23:49

If you have cancer and have been on sick leave since February, I think it would be sensible for you to bring this to the attention of your potential new employer yourself, not wait until your current manager mentions it or until you start doing the job. That's significant information that a new employer needs to know. If you're still able to work, explain to them that you can, and how you will do it.

A reference should come from HR, not from your line manager. References these days are not personal, but factual, confirming that you have worked there and when you began.

Beyond that, I'd be pursuing a grievance against your manager for gross misconduct. She has committed fraud against the NHS by pretending to be you in order to access medical information. This would be bad enough for anyone else, but the fact that your employer is the NHS makes it worse. Surely grounds for dismissal.

That's helpful thank you!

OP posts:

paranoiaofpufflings · 02/12/2024 00:06

Forgot to add - is the reason for your sick leave entirely the cancer, or has the situation with your manager contributed to your being off more? No need to answer me, but worth considering, and worth mentioning.
I experienced horrendous bullying at work by a manager and ended up on sick leave with stress and anxiety because of it. When interviewing for new jobs I openly explained the reason I was on sick leave - as in, I'm on sick leave but when I have a job offer I'm ready to return full time - and the new employer I moved to was the one who really understood that and they even arranged counselling through them when I started work.
Being honest is always the best way to start somewhere new. Your life away from this goblin of a manager will be significantly better.

FarmGirl78 · 02/12/2024 00:09

NHS staff phoning your surgery and trying to access your records by misrepresentation would be gross misconduct and a sacking offence. Please take this further.

LadyLolaRuben · 02/12/2024 00:23

NHS director here. Go to HR, ask to meet with the HR manager assigned to your area and tell them everything.

Also, speak to your Information Governance Manager, tell them about your manager trying access your records then advise them you're reporting it via their incident reporting system - it's possibly called Datix where you work. It can be usually found in the front of your intranet page. This will log what your manager did - they'll be dismissed for that alone if it can be proven. Stay strong and best if luck. Keep us posted on here x

DilemmaDelilah · 02/12/2024 07:48

I have also been receiving treatment for cancer and I work for the NHS. My treatment from my managers and team couldn't be more different from yours!
I was hoping to be able to do what others I know had done and that was to work when I felt well enough, but unfortunately I wasn't able to work at all and I took 6 full months off. When I returned I had a phased return to work, and then I returned properly with reduced hours (my choice), working entirely from home. There is never any trouble about attending hospital appointments in work hours (I arrange all other appointments for my days off where I can). I built up annual leave while off sick so I used that to take an extra day off every week when I returned to work properly, before I reduced my hours. My managers and team members have been incredibly supportive.

I'm not sure why you would be taking annual leave while you're off sick? You are allowed to go on holiday if you're sick, provided you're not taking the mick and you aren't doing anything that being off sick should preclude you doing, You would then have your annual leave available to take on your return.
I'm also not sure why you have been off sick for quite so long? Obviously I can only go by my own experience, but the active phase of treatment doesn't usually take 10 months? Of course you may have had complications, or multiple surgeries, I don't know. I still don't feel well, I am on continuing medication which has some horrible side-effects, but I am well enough to work - albeit only part time.
NHS regulations state that you should receive 6 months of full pay, then 6 months of half pay, if you meet the criteria.

As a manager, I would hesitate to take on a new member of staff who might not be able to work the hours required. Unless you are properly back to work now, or are applying for a role with considerably fewer hours or much lighter duties, I suggest that now is not the time to do so. Any reference requested will ask about your sickness record so it makes no difference who completes that reference, the information will be sent to your prospective employer anyway.

Original poster

rampold · 02/12/2024 22:26

DilemmaDelilah · 02/12/2024 07:48

I have also been receiving treatment for cancer and I work for the NHS. My treatment from my managers and team couldn't be more different from yours!
I was hoping to be able to do what others I know had done and that was to work when I felt well enough, but unfortunately I wasn't able to work at all and I took 6 full months off. When I returned I had a phased return to work, and then I returned properly with reduced hours (my choice), working entirely from home. There is never any trouble about attending hospital appointments in work hours (I arrange all other appointments for my days off where I can). I built up annual leave while off sick so I used that to take an extra day off every week when I returned to work properly, before I reduced my hours. My managers and team members have been incredibly supportive.

I'm not sure why you would be taking annual leave while you're off sick? You are allowed to go on holiday if you're sick, provided you're not taking the mick and you aren't doing anything that being off sick should preclude you doing, You would then have your annual leave available to take on your return.
I'm also not sure why you have been off sick for quite so long? Obviously I can only go by my own experience, but the active phase of treatment doesn't usually take 10 months? Of course you may have had complications, or multiple surgeries, I don't know. I still don't feel well, I am on continuing medication which has some horrible side-effects, but I am well enough to work - albeit only part time.
NHS regulations state that you should receive 6 months of full pay, then 6 months of half pay, if you meet the criteria.

As a manager, I would hesitate to take on a new member of staff who might not be able to work the hours required. Unless you are properly back to work now, or are applying for a role with considerably fewer hours or much lighter duties, I suggest that now is not the time to do so. Any reference requested will ask about your sickness record so it makes no difference who completes that reference, the information will be sent to your prospective employer anyway.

I've had a stem cell transplant so I've had mega chemo. Then the transplant; now I'm still immunocompromised but I'm better than I was. But because I'm public facing I can't go back just yet

OP posts:

HousedInMySoul · 02/12/2024 22:33

I missed tbat you'd said you worked for the NHS and was going to ask if you worked for the NHS when I read about how you've been treated. Sorry you're going through this, hope your new job is much better 💐