Why have HR asked me this and can I say no?

[Hrrrrhr]

I started some medication recently. A side effect is drowsiness and on those occasions not driving. It’s supposed to settle over 8 weeks. I’ve therefore asked my employer whether I can work from home during this time. My job can completely be done from home and often is. I’ve been there a long time. They’re asking me if they can contact my gp and ask my gp a number of questions instead of going through occupational health as occupational health can take much longer (ie beyond the time I’m asking for to have the adjustment anyway). I’m not comfortable having direct questions sent to my gp as I’ve never heard of this before. I would prefer occupational health. Can anyone explain my rights? Thank you

Stating you need to not leave the house for 8 weeks is quite extreme, as most people would just find a different route to work if the only issue was driving. I expect they are concerned about whether you should be working at all given that. I'm not sure what exactly you're worried about your GP saying, is that something you're able to say? They don't add extraneous information about any previous diagnosis, only answering the specific questions asked about this one.

Your GP is free, your OH will charge for the referral.

I think its pretty shameful they're making you jump through these hoops for some temporary adjustments as they're effectively saying they don't trust you.

Perhaps they think that the full 8wks for something that only may happen is a piss take?

Had assumed you're driving as part of your job, but as others have said, why is your default wfh and not public transport?

Also mentioned, lots of meds list drowsiness as a side effect, but that may not happen, or only for the first few times.

Agree that 8 weeks is a long time and what's to stop the next person requesting time off for taking for all sorts.

Antihistamines, H.R.T, Ozempic & such and pain killers can cause drowsiness, but people get on with it.

Your body adjusts, so you'll hardly be drowsy for 8 weeks.

Exactly this

Are you actually experiencing drowsiness or are you just anticipating that you might ?

surely occ health should be the go between

Eight weeks is a very long time to work from home. Is there no way you can find alternative methods of travel?

I can understand your employer's concern, and to preserve your relationship with them would suggest some willing to providing evidence. Your GP won't disclose more than necessary. But I really would mull whether you could find a way to still get into the office a little bit over the next two months...

TBH, absolutely tons of medications list drowsiness as a potential side-effect. That doesn't mean it's going to happen.
Personally I would wait and see how you feel once you start the medication. More likely than not, you'll be fine.

Your work just want to make sure you're not pulling a fast one. I mean, "please can I stay at home because my pills make me sleepy." You've got to admit, it does sound a bit shit.

@Ddakji If my workplace went down this route I’d be tempted to ask my doctor to simply sign me off for 8 weeks.

This is why they need to check OP, because some people do take the piss.

Businesses have to protect themselves and have a fair system for all staff.

Like PP said, they might have had someone have similar meds but carried on with no request for 8 weeks wfh.

Everyone is different of course, but sounds excessive.
They'd also want to know you were fit to work.

Agree with those saying if nothing to hide, there's no issue.

I think if you're asking your employer for adjustments then they're entitled to ask for some back up as to things like your prospect of return and even safety while working alone.

Have they told you the questions?

Trouble is that if you make it difficult for them they can get difficult with yout.

Just let them do it, the sooner you do them the sooner you can be left alone to wfh. You have nothing to hide

I wouldn’t consider taking the piss if my employer trusted me to do the job they’d employed me to do and are paying me to do. As I said before, if they don’t trust me, sack me.

The OP has said that both the literature with the medication and the NHS website say you shouldn’t drive. If driving is her only way to get to her workplace, and if the work can be done perfectly well at home, she works from home.

Why does the employer need to see anything beyond that?

I don't think it is explicitly saying dont drive in the literature but that 'you may feel drowsy ' based on what OP has said. A huge difference.

Are you actually drowsy? All of my meds say may cause drowsiness (only one of them the one i use for sleep) actually does. I of-course would not drive after taking that, the rest I'm fine on.

HR are not doctors, they obviously want to understand the impact of your medication and for whatever reason you haven't given enough information/detail. A referral to OH can take weeks so asking your GP to supply info might be a quicker way to getting everybody what they want. Can you answer any of the questions they've asked?

A blanket work at home until you've finished the medication may not be what your manager wants. But there could be other adjustments to be considered such as adjusting your start/finish times so you can travel when you are not drowsy?

Just because your job "can" be done at home doesn't mean it should.

This is the reason. Low trust work relationships ... very poor. I'd ask HR outright.

She's not employed as a driver so not being able to drive does not mean she is unfit for work.

This is quite annoying - HR are going to take up the time of a busy GP. That the company have this process is their problem, not the GP’s.

Getting an appointment with a GP isn’t easy or fun where I am.

can I just say my gp will provide a fit note with suggestion I work from home?

I very much doubt your GP will sign a note saying you have to work from home for two months on the basis that you could potentially feel drowsy 🙄

There's pros and cons. My experience with OH has been mixed. One terrible experience which I put a complaint in about. Another positive.

I have gone the GP route when I can with HR because my GP will basically agree what to write with me before sending it. I do have to pay for GP letters though.

I would not give blanket permission for my GP to discuss my medical record with an employer. Depends on the condition, the GP is often not an expert at all.

It's not invasive if you are asking for adjustments. It is common sense if OH won't see you in time to enable you to WFH for 8 weeks, You can see all of the information before HR do and withdraw consent.

Secondly, if your medication is so strong that your drowsiness renders you unable to drive for 8 weeks or to get to work on public transport, or other means, they need to establish whether you can actually work.

Everyone is different, so some people may have more side effects, but asking to WFH for 8 weeks while you adjust to medication is a big ask. They may need to consider other reasonable adjustments.

My DH is on strong drugs with side effects and all adjustments at work have been arranged and agreed through the PHCT not OH, who would have to ask the same questions anyway.

Because there are a lot of piss takers out there

No. They shouldn't require any evidence beyond what you choose to provide. But I agree with the PP that the easies route would be you to request a fit note from the GP.

I can see why OH want some hard facts. You may not experience any drowsiness, they may see this as you looking to wfh permanently ('Oh, but it worked well for 8 weeks so I'll fight you on this one!') they may be wondering why you can't plan to get public transport instead (what do you do when your car is being serviced?). Why should they agree to you wfh in case you feel drowsy?? Most prescribed medications have long lists of possible side effects and most people decide on the day if they are affected by any of them rather than preplan 8 weeks in advance.