Off sick and manager wants to have a catchup?

[Applerumbles]

I’ve been off sick from work with MH issues for well over a year.
My line manager has just emailed to ask tor a catchup call to see how I am and what they can do to support me.
I can’t face talking to him (or anyone really) so would it be ok to say that I’m not well enough for a call and that I am still getting medical treatment for my illness?
Im not sure he should be contacting me if I am off sick and providing fitnotes?

If your off sick in the NHS for whatever reason you have a f2f monthly sickness review no matter why you are off. You have got off very lightly to be off for over a year and not have had some regular contact.
EDIT just read about the sickness insurance. Even if that lasts until retirement they can't just leave your job vacant forever.

Does the company fund this in any way?

Have you checked your employment contract, OP? Look for whether there is a clause that states that you can be dismissed for incapacity while in receipt of payment protection.

I totally agree, I think you should email and engage with work instead and explain you find phone calls difficult at the moment.

Thanks, that sounds more possible

Don't feel pushed to leave because of the reactions you get on a Mumsnet thread. People just ignore the categories these days and treat everything as if it's 'AIBU'.

Contact your union and get advice. I'd recommend you indulge your employer in this contact, to prevent them putting it across as you not meeting T&C of the insurance. Your union will advise you and you can request a different format if needed. If, in time, they decide to manage you out, you'll still (by the sounds of it) be entitled to the insurance. However, if you voluntarily leave, you won't.

You're unwell. This insurance is a benefit of your employment that you earned via 20 years service. You are entitled to it.

Things will work out how they work out but you don't need to rush them forward or react hastily because ignorant strangers on this forum think that even sick people should work themselves to the bone lest they be a burden on society 🙄

You need to communicate with your employer in whatever way you are able to (e-mail might be a good idea) There should have been a catch up request well before this one.

Even if you end up with an insurance payout you are still going to have to engage.

Thank you, that’s really kind.

I am amazed it has taken a year for them to need a catch-up! They can and will 'sack' you for being ill - it will be under the guide of managed out as you cannot meet your job capabilities.

Checking with your union sounds like a very good idea.

My company has an occupational health team and for anyone off work for more that 3-4 weeks they will have regular occupational health meetings to check in, understand next steps etc. if you work for a bigger firm they will probably have something similar. They are trained specialists not just your line manager bumbling through a chat.

Honestly I had to read this twice. Of course the insurance is going to cost them in the long run- the amount of cover you have had is likely to affect their insurance costs going forward. Any decent employer will check in after this long and they do have a right to do so. After over a year you need to engage, absolutely. Why would or should they just leave you on the books claiming the insurance without even minimal contact from you? And that wouldn't be sacking you for being ill- it would be about establishing are you likely to return, do you need RA to do so, if not dismissal on grounds of not being able to fulfil the role or an alternative role would be reasonable.

She's not "on the sick." She's sick. HTH.

Would you not qualify for pip?

Surely you need to draw line somewhere and leave work.
Is someone else doing your post at work, or are the team having to do a little bit more to make up for your absence.

It seems rather disingenuous to just keep going as you are.

Are there any conditions or timelines with that? It’s morally not right to stay employed for the income protection if you have no intention of going back. If you do hope to return soon then you need a conversation with your manager

A year! My former company would have eased you out by now!

Leaving aside the shittiness of belittling these conditions, which can be absolutely debilitating, OP was inpatient. They do not do that for lols or unless you are very unwell.

She is entitled because she has chosen a job which has insurance to cover exactly this scenario.

the judgement on this thread is appalling - and shows how ignorant those people are to not understand the very basic concept of income protection insurance.

OP the reality is that they can require contact but they have to do it in a reasonable way.

i would very strongly recommend getting support for this. Didlaw are highly recommended for exactly these sorts of situations

Totally reasonable. It may not be costing them anything in terms of money. But it may be stopping them from actually getting somebody into that role. After a year with no prospect of returning, they are justified in wanting clarification on the plan.

I do qualify for PIP and ESA

She needs to check her employment contract. Just having income protection insurance doesn't automatically mean that she can't get sacked.

Honestly what a stupid thing to write. The insurance cover is for EXACTLY this situation when someone cannot work. How on earth is it immoral. The cost of the insurance cover and people using that cover will have been factored into the company s overall financial plans. It is not even debatable that it is unethical to use an insurance policy when the insured circumstances occur.

You might not be costing the company anything but have the decency to leave and let them relace you.

Thank you. I don’t understand why people are being so unkind.

No - buts it’s a complex situation that requires specialist advice. Dismissal for incapability when income insurance protection is not at all straightforward

Your union rep can communicate on your behalf. Or an alternative method of keeping in touch can be agreed, for example, email or WhatsApp.

You're having no problems posting on here, so it's a reasonable option to request communication via emails/messages with your manager.