Signed off sick - will I be sacked??

[cantthinkofausername26]

I've had quite a lot of time off sick in the last 2 years, I'm a teacher. I have a lot of health issues going on and have just been signed off for a month. I can't imagine I'll feel any different after 30 days and am awaiting hospital treatment.
Can the school sack me on medical grounds? My union rep has had no info for me at all. If I have to leave that's fine but want to know where I stand with regards to sick pay etc.
anyone experienced anything like this?

How long are you working there? I don’t think you can be sacked for being sick, is it all the same issue?
So sorry you are going through this. Do you have serious illness cover or illness protection insurance?
When are the union getting back to you?

Your school will have policies, have you read those?

All employers have processes for terminating contracts eventually but they need to follow their processes and usually a school has processes that take a long time.

How long have you worked there and what is your prognosis? When do you expect to receive hospital treatment and is it likely to improve your situation so that you can return to work? Are there any reasonable adjustments your employer can make to help you return to work?

You say you've been off sick a lot. What action has your employer taken so far?

Normally in the event of long term sick leave you would be meeting occupational health to assess what you CAN do, and to support you back into your normal role. In the event of very long-term and permanent health conditions which mean it's impossible for you to work, even with major adjustments, you might be offered early retirement on medical grounds. That would likely be a long time away, and only one all other measures have been explored and discounted, such as part-time working, reduced duties, changed duties, etc. One example is a friend of mine. She was a music teacher who developed tinnitus, which made it impossible for her to continue teaching music. She moved into a non-teaching pastoral role instead, by mutual agreement.

I've worked there 3 years. I have type 1 diabetes, chronic anaemia, and have just been diagnosed with CFS. I can't see things getting much better for me as there is no specific treatment for CFS. I have been referred to the CFS clinic for help with managing the condition.
Previously I have been referred to OH and adjustments were made to try to make work less exhausting for me, however this was last year and now I have a new heavier timetable, bigger classes, less support staff and feel it might be their way of running me down so I can't cope and ultimately have to leave

Is your timetable heavier than other staff OP or is it more that last year you were on a reduced timetable and they have now returned you to a more normal timetable?
I have managed staff with chronic conditions before and OH often suggested that they consider formally requesting a reduced contract: part time.
Have you considered asking to drop a day and be paid less but at least have an extra day per week to rest?

Hi thank you for taking the time to reply. I'm already part time, 2 days one week, 3 days the next.

How are the days spaced? Eg maybe it would be better to do Mon and Thurs rather than mon and Tues together?

My timetable is competitive with the other person in my department. However the level of support is not. For example our classes have been increased in size significantly and other teacher gets a co-teacher to help manage the class and I don't. Other teacher gets more help from HOD etc.

@HousefulofIkea yes you're right I think that would be better for me. However i job share and the other teacher won't budge on what days she works using nursery as an excuse. Our days are consecutive and I think HOD would like to keep it that way

What treatment have you had? Is your diabetes managed? I know lots of people with type 1 with no issues working.

Is your gp looking at options for the anaemia? Transfusions/supplements etc?

There won't be a scenario where you get paid forever if you can't fulfill the requirements of the role. At some stage when all options for support/reasonable adjustments etc have been tried and you are still unable to work due to health your employment is likely to be brought to an end, eventually.

I've worked for the last 20 years with type 1 diabetes, that's not my main issue. But it does exasperate symptoms of my other conditions

I have regular blood transfusions and iron infusions but my levels drop again. This has been going on for two years. They don't know why it keeps dropping despite numerous tests

You need to go back to OH and get them to re-refee yoy for reduced timetable or increased support. If you have long term health conditions which can be classed as a disability they have a responsibility to put reasonable amendments in place to support you. If they fail to do so you could challenge them for wrongful dismissal if you are managed out/terminated for low attendance so long as you can prove they were given advice they didn't follow

My recommendation is to engage as much as possible, in as positive a way as possible. Go in with what you CAN do, and what would HELP you. Be prepared to meet them in the middle. Could you have extra breaks, or an extra TA? Do you have to lug a load of material around which could be solved by having classes in the same location, or having someone move your material for you?
Suggest stuff you'd be happy to trial.

I say this as a manager who has had to make significant amendments to job roles for staff for both physical and mental reasons, and as someone who has ME.

Thank you so much for this advice.

Hey, I feel you. I'm going through a chronic anaemia diagnosis at the moment, so yeah working is HARD!

But, what tests have you had? I'm assuming it's not if it's been going on for 2 years, but I spent 2 days in hospital doing test after test. They were convinced I was minutely bleeding from somewhere internally... I was given a CT scan, and they found a mass in my bowel - more than likely the cause. If you haven't I'd insist on one. It could help. ❤️

maybe not helpful but I have ME which is similar to CFS and I couldn’t continue teaching. It just wasn’t compatible in any way: reduced timetable, with TA support, part time etc. the job was too demanding and I was too broken to manage.

Sadly @cantthinkofausername26 yes, they can dismiss you.

Your employment contract requires you to fulfil x number of hours and fulfil y duties. In return the Employer pays you for your services.

CFS is an absolute bugger but under the Equality Act 2010, your employer is obliged to make reasonable adjustments providing they can be operationally supported. If they can't be, the employer needs to explain why.

I am sorry you are unwell. Might your employer support an ill health early retirement application? I appreciate the TPS can be difficult in relation to ill health related to CFS, ME, dementia, MS, etc.

No proper advice but as a teacher I'd imagine CFS is absolutely dreadful - anaemia too. Look after yourself.

I am really sorry that you are unwell.
My daughter has T1 too, she told. Me her sugars are much better in the last few weeks since they put her on a new basal insuline which is administered only once in 24 hours, a new variety from the previois standard one. Are you on CGM?