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 to hear that about your friend. It’s good that her firm are still paying her after so many years. I wouldn’t want to lead to them being sacked by complaining.

If that affects your workload then the problem is with your employer, not the person who is off sick.

They should have arranged temporary cover after a couple of months when it became clear this was a long term sickness.

It’s a bit of a sensitive subject to raise though as it doesn’t seem very understanding

Why would they employ someone for five years who was incapable of doing the job?
They certainly weren’t legally compelled to do that.

I don't think it's an unreasonable observation. I think you need to discuss any impact on your own role with your manager if there's a concern, but otherwise the person's sickness and how it's managed is really not your business.

If he company had an income protection insurance then they are legally bound to claim on that and keep the employee on. There’s usually a reduction in salary for the person on long term sick, but they’re essentially covered by this until retirement age if this is offered as a part of the usual benefits package. They can’t sack them as this would restrict the employee’s ability to access a contractual benefit.

I can still be interested in the situation though

You shouldn’t really pass judgement on the individual who is off sick as this really isn’t your business.
However, having a man down and you picking up the slack is a management problem to solve and I would say that you need to tell them.

Thanks, that might explain why it has been so long without them being sacked then.

Where have I passed judgement on them?!

My best friend has been off sick for nearly 10 years now. She is still employed (has a meeting with OH once a year), and gets a percentage of her salary.
I assume there is some sort of insurance involved.
She is employed by a huge international company. I can't imagine smaller companies keeping someone on for so long.

Your only interest really should be on the impact on your ability to do your job effectively.

Do you work for the NHS @BoredandStuck ?

I work in HR. Yes, I'm aware of employees who have been off sick far far longer.

Why would you ask that though?

Bollocks, this is an anonymous forum for all sorts of irrelevant chat and musing

Oh, give over.

We'll just have to agree to disagree then.

I’ve already explained that.

Err in your opening post .

Workplaces don’t have to dismiss long term sick employees. They can choose not to.

She asked a question. She didn’t add in “the lazy cow!”

That wasn’t a judgement of them, it was judgement about the company sick policy.

When I worked in the NHS I worked with a woman who was off sick for 4 years out of 10. And was surprised when they eventually sacked her.

I suspect there’s your answer.

Hopefully you won’t become ill OP but at least you know that you will be looked after if you do.

I never said she did . What she is doing however , is prying into a person that is off sick and their reason for that absence. This has nothing to do with her and absolutely none of her business.
Clearly if it is impacting her job due to picking up the slack - then this is a management issue that she needs to discuss with them. That’s it.

Not discuss if this person is going to be sacked etc etc …