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?

OP, I’m sorry that you have been so ill for so long.

You’ve come across as strong and a capable of standing up for yourself on this thread. Would you be able to start communicating with your employers by text or email.

That all sounds really difficult. I personally think that it is sad that you actually had to work, when is such a state, when from the sounds of it, you were not really fit to do so.

Thank you. Email or text would be easier for me but my manager has asked for a call. I will respond by email and take it from there.

I am amazed that you haven’t been required to communicate with the company before now (especially as you say you have never spoken to this manager). Also surprised you haven’t been asked for full disclosure of all medical conditions to occupational health / the insurance company and that you haven’t taken advice from your union. I agree with others that that is where you need to start, this is their job, it’s one of the reasons you pay your subs, they will help you. You have shown you can communicate on here so hopefully you can manage to hold a discussion by email till you are well enough to speak in person or phone/video.

The insurance company has received my medical records from the GP so they are aware of the severity of my illness. The only contact from HR has been regarding the income protection insurance.

And they will likely need to fill the position if OP won’t be coming back any time soon.

Sorry you are so unwell OP but you need to engage with them. They can’t keep the job open indefinitely and getting other people to cover. If you aren’t getting paid even SSP does it matter if you are currently employed or not?

I’m getting paid by the company income protection insurance

The worrying thing here is that you have been ill all this time and there is no cure for your illness!

Or is there?! Look harder so you can start actually living your life is my advice………

Cant you afford to buy interventions?

I don’t know what this means?

I have colleagues who have stage 4 cancer and are on palliative care and fortnightly chemo and they still turn up for work

So the question you need to ask is whether the insurance continues if they dismiss you. I would expect that there is a provision for that, or it’s a pretty rubbish offer, but that’s also something your union rep could potentially help with,

That sounds very tough for them but are you implying that I should be able to work because they can?

I'm surprised it been over a year without contact. Anyone I've known that has been off long term sick their employer has checked in with them regularly from the start.

I don’t think it would continue if they dismiss me but I do need to speak to my union for advice.

Sorry - I saw that further on in the thread after I posted. They may be looking to medically retire you - you can request that your union rep look into this, it l an be paid until normal retirement age (the scheme I help manage does) unless you make a full recovery. If this is the case, I wouldn’t dismiss it as it can be better than the insurance. They wouldn’t be contacting you at all.

I feel for you as mental health still has a stigma that won’t go away. But your employer can, and should really for welfare reasons, contact you. Working with them should work in your favour. And if you aren’t well enough to engage, speak to your union rep and/or someone you trust.

It’s actually nearer two years than one

I find it surprising.

I was off for a planned operation, for a specified amount of time - a few weeks. I got an unexpected phone call from my HT after the 4 weeks was up. (I had another week to go.)

I was a bit peeved, tbh, since he wasn't my line manager and I found dealing with the HT rather stressful, but he had the right to contact me.

Astoundingly ignorant of the physiology and psychology of humans

Thank you. The income protection insurance is provided because medical retirement is not provided by this company

So they’ve been assessed as capable work then? The OP hasn’t.

In which case there may be provision for you moving to some kind of “special” cost code where you’re not counted in a department’s headcount (and therefore budget) but not technically dismissed.

But as you say, speak to your union. At least then this won’t be hanging over you. I hope your health improves.

It means why are you not investing in finding a solution to your health troubles?

What are you actually doing to improve your situation? From a health perspective

Or do you have an incurable illness?

Why are so many people being so harsh on the Mental Health board? This is normally one of the more supportive boards here.