Off sick for years

[BoredandStuck]

Someone I work with has been off work sick for over two and a half years now. That seems a really long time without them being sacked or let go. Has anyone else come across anything similar or longer?

Sorry, why are you asking? Context is missing here.

My SIL was off sick for 5 years. They paid her off in the end.

It affects the rest of us who have to work with one less in the team and just interested whether this happens in other companies too.

Is your work impacted by this? Are you having to pick up more work to cover for this person?

Depends on the long term sickness process and if there’s any income protection in place.
Maybe have a look at your internal policies.

Well that sounds like a management issue, they need to back fill with a temporary contract at least. Your frustration shouldn't be directed to the person off ill.

People are off sick for many different reasons, so it depends. Why are you asking, need more context

Is it hard to sack someone for being ill then? We have company income protection insurance which covers to state pension age so it could go on til then I guess.

Ok, well that's an issue for your management to deal with. I'm not sure how what happens in other companies pertains to how your organisation needs to handle this. They should be doing what is necessary to ensure that the absence of a member of staff doesn't impact on the rest of the workforce.

Not really frustrated but just seems to be going on for so long

Yes

I would assume they are seriously ill and mind my business tbh girl

Blimey, that’s a bit uncalled for

I should think that’s very rare. Usually someone would be let go or would leave with ill health retirement.

They can’t be being paid (that’s my assumption) so it’s strange they don’t just resign - it must be stressful hanging it over you for no reason.

Awful that they haven’t backfilled, even with fixed term contracts.

Yeah right. If this was your colleague and your team and yourself picking up the extra slack for over two years, I’m sure you’d want to know when the end is in sight too! It’s natural!

Classic MN pile on. It would be rare for no one to bat an eye lid at someone who’s been off for over two years, and who’s absence is creating more work for others.

There is company income protection insurance so they might be claiming that but definitely no ill health retirement benefit

Long term health issues can be very complicated at work. Hands can be tied due to disability rules and regulations (rightfully so) Your employer might be playing it safe as no one wants a tribunal. But they should be backfilling.

Why and for how long is none of your business. Take it up with management/HR regarding the amount of work you are being expected to do.

Thanks, I’m not judging, just interested

They need to temporarily cover her role if she’s off sick in the long term. Your employers can’t just expect other team members to do her work.

Then you should be annoyed with management for not recruiting cover

But the problem is the employers not covering her role. It’s not the employees fault if she’s sick (and presumably she is or the drs wouldn’t have signed her off).

I guess so but they probably didn’t know how long it was going to go on for.

I’m not suggesting it is the employees fault

A friend of mine had a stroke 7 years ago and cannot work. Her firm are still paying her so I'm assuming they had some kind of insurance like this.