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?

Thank you, that’s really kind. The MH section is usually more supportive.

If the OP is covered by workplace insurance schemes then of course she should not just leave, don't be silly.

You need expert advice urgently. Speak to your union. You are putting your income at risk and you should be helped to protect it.

I think holding your job open is a separate matter from the income protection insurance payments.

You are really lucky to have gone a year without contact. In my work you need to have weekly or fortnightly contact. Your work are entitled to know why you are off and look to see what they can do to help you back to work. Does your work not have an occupational health company that they work with? If you do want to go back to work I would advise you to either meet on neutral ground or video call your manager. Also ask them to see your sick absence policy so you know where you stand.

I don't think its that at all, nor do I think the majority of people are being unkind. It is just more, I think, that you don't feel you need to provide your employer with any information after this length of time. They would actually be failing a duty of care not to bother.

I might have put it a little more gently, but agree.

Free.
Plus knows the company practice and precedents.

Because the employee has offers to the OP as part of its rewards package to do exactly that

I think, if you can't face it yourself, it would be a good idea to ask a friend or family member or a union person to sit with you while you download all the documentation associated with your income protection and then read/interpret it for you.

I agree that I wouldn't want to be resigning or similar because you don't want to lose that insurance, but it might also be the case that your work can manage you out of the role and then the insurance policy still applies. You need to understand the ts and cs so you don't end up with the wrong thing happening. If you're too ill to manage that you need to find someone to support you through it.

Would you be able to manage a call if you had a friend/another colleague there to help or to take notes or anything? If not, suggesting they contact you via email instead might be possible. I agree with you that contacting your union is a good idea.

I was off work for a few months with anxiety and depression and it was HR that checked in on me during that time. I am glad they did although it was daunting at the time.

Would you be able to ask if you could keep in touch with someone in HR (or another manager) while you’re off? It might be better than talking to your own manager, as it’s often easier to speak to someone you don’t actually know that well.

All the best xxx

It is a great benefit but it’s also contingent upon your being unable to return to work, so there will be contact to confirm that’s still the case and medical evidence will be sought. It’s not a case of insurance kicking in and then you’re left to your own devices until such time as you decide to go back of your own accord. The original question was about whether it was reasonable for the company to make contact, and the answer is yes it’s reasonable and it’s inevitable.

I would agree that you should contact your union for advice. They will explain the process to you.

It's income protection - but not job protection. There will be a termination clause and timescale in the policy. If you continue to qualify though, you'll still receive the payments - but your employer will, inevitibly, need to fill your role permanently at some time.

It's preferrable in some ways - you're protected from redundancy and a sharp end to the benefit and payments, for instance.

That’s completely different. I morally could not stay off of work claiming the insurance if I didn’t intend to go back. I’m not saying Op is intending not to go back ever hence why I asked a question. Of course insurance is there to help used but for how long.

It isn’t a case of intending to go back or not, I don’t know how long it will be until I am well enough, if ever.

This is nonsensical! The insurance policy is explicitly taken for this situation!

Why would anyone have an insurance policy and not use it?

I wonder if perhaps you don't understand what income protection insurance actually is. That's the only thing that explains your very unusual position.

There is nothing immoral about taking the justified payments.

I would suggest you ignore that poster @Applerumbles because their views are not applicable - you are entitled to what you are entitled to.

What matters is getting you the right support.

Possibly I don’t, possibly I’ve read it wrong

Can you contact your manager by email to keep communication open? Or get a union member to do it on your behalf? You are doing the right thing by claiming the insurance. Do you know if there is a certain level of contact required to comply with the policy? Could someone in HR help you? Or could someone speak to HR for you? For example is there an Employee Assistance programme where you work?

I don't believe i said that it was. It is unfair on a business to have a staff member missing for a year! They feel it's too much to expect a wellbeing meeting so obviously won't be returning anytime soon - if ever. This can put a huge strain on the business and remaining staff.

It’s a very reasonable request given the length of sick leave.

Because you are not doing the job!!! Can you not see how this sort of entitlement that others must provide for you causes serious issues for employers? I speak as someone who has suffered from severe and prolonged MH issues myself and never once - not once - expected employers or their insurers to fund me. Why should they? Why do you think they should? I'm intrigued.

Why don’t you retire on ill health grounds? That’s what many of us with cancer are forced to do, if not well enough to return to work. Then claim esa and pip, plus any critical illness cover you’ve taken out. Speak to your union rep, to guide you through the process.

“Why would I hand my notice in when I am seriously ill?”

You haven’t done the job for a year, don’t have a clear idea about when you’ll be back, don’t want to engage with work at all, and seem more than a bit indignant about them wanting to talk to you. Surely you don’t expect the situation to go on like this forever?

Because it is one of the employment benefits which come with the job.