threatened with the sack for being injured

[julietbravo1]

I have namechanged for this for obvious reasons. But I am genuine, I am desperate for help. I didn't know whether to put this in legal or work issues

I am a police officer. Before I joined I had no back.problems at all. Around 3 years after joining I was involved in a car crash whilst on duty. It wasn't my fault. My back was slightly injured and I had physio which seemed to put it right. From then on I did have times when my back was stiff but nothing too painful.

About 2 years ago I had a fall. I was working and crossing a large area of heavily compacted ground. It was also extremely icy. I slipped and both legs went up in the air and I landed full force on my bottom. I was so embarrassed I jumped up without checking if I was ok but when I landed I felt the jolt travel through me, right up my left side. I spent the next few days in great pain. Both these incidents were logged in the accident book at work and appropriate forms submitted.

Almost 5 months after the fall I had a miscarriage. A month after the miscarriage my back seemed to go. I got taken into hospital and was there for a week. I have a herniated disc which is bulging to the left side. I was threatened with losing my job as I was off for so long (3 and a half months for my back). It boiled down to if I have anymore sick they will start proceedings to get rid of me. I worked hard at getting my back better and still pay for private physio once a week. My back has been niggling for a few weeks but last fri it went completely again. Thankfully I've not ended up in hospital this time but i can barely move. I can't sit down at all, I can walk with difficulty and that's about it. I'm on strong painkillers which aren't touching it and Im back at the docs tomorrow for a referral back to the spine unit.

I have 2 questions really. Im planning on dragging myself into work at 7am tomorrow because Im so frightened they will fire me. Can anyone advise me on employment law and if they can just get rid of me. The pressure they put on me was unbelievable, even telling me to push for surgery even if not necessary so I would be back on the streets more quickly. They have paid off other people who have been injured. To be honest after the way they have treated me if they offered me a payout to leave I would. The amount of pressure they have put on me has affected my mental health, I'm very stressed and panicky at the thought of not being able to work. It'smaking me feel absolutely desperate.

Secondly the crash and the fall which are the main causes were both while on duty. I pay out at least 100-200 a month in physio fees plus prescriptions for painkillers, I've even had to buy a new mattress and a new chair as I cannot sit on my sofa anymore. Im having to put starting a family on hold and its all because of my job. After both incidents they didnt get me medical treatment I had to wait til I was home and go from there. They were also told in October I needed a new chair for the office suitable for my back. I was told go find one I liked and put my name on it! I don't want to be fired from the job I love but they have treated me shabbily. Is there any way I could take action to claim at least my physio bills from them and how would I go about it?

Are you a member of unison? If not, join, they will be able to advise you about everything you've asked here. I don't know enough to give you a really really helpful answer but I'll give it a go!

First off Im so sorry that you're going through all of this. It sounds horrendous. No, they can't sack you for having too much time off. They can initiate 'competency' proceedings against you, whereby they will argue that the amount of time you've had as sick leave indicates that you are not healthy enough to do your job. This is a lengthy process and should have been explained to you by your line manager when your attendance was first discussed with you. Have a look on your intranet if it wasn't; the policy regarding it, which will explain how it works and what you can expect to happen next, will be on there.

They should have offered you psychotherapy when you were injured at work. If they haven't, which it sounds like, then you can ask to be referred to them. They will then create a report on your condition for your line management which they are obliged to take into consideration when investigating your absences.

I do know what force policy is that any sickness incurred during pregnancy is 'protected', in that it cannot be included in the overall total of your time off. Check the policy, or with the union, as to whether this is also true regarding time off due to miscarriage. It damm well should be.

Im not going to go into too much detail, for obvious reasons, but I very much empathise with your situation. I realise Im not much help (I can't advise you at all about how you can go about getting any sort of compensation etc) but if you need any support or you want to share war stories so you don't feel so alone, feel free to message me.

Good luck. And don't go in tomorrow if you don't feel up to it. Join unison first thing whether or not you go into work. They are your best resource and defense.

Hope this helps x

Aargh, physiotherapy, not psychotherapy! Bloody phone

Agree, this is where unions come into their own. Even if you aren't in unison, isn't there one for police officers - the police federation, or something? Otherwise I'd go and have a look at the ACAS website and on the employment section of direct.gov - but there may be particular rules and regulations about the police, I don't know.

Go and speak to your fed rep ASAP.

Also, the job usually pay for a set amount of physio for an injury on duty. When the money runs out though, it will be down to you to pay. Forces differ though.

OP, I'm ex job and have been where you are. I was run over on duty and spent 10 weeks in hospital. I saw numerous experts and had various treatments before I was pensioned off. I spent a considerable amount of time going through all the stages before leaving on ill health grounds so can fully understand where you are. I ended up seeing the FMO (force medical officer) several times and was assessed by him as being unfit to return to 'regular' duties. Please understand though, they cannot just sack you, you will have to retire on ill health grounds and will (assuming it is found that the injuries were received on duty) get a police pension. There is a scale on the seriousness of your disability which is on % and depending on that will depend which bracket you are in. I was in the 76+ bracket which is the highest due to my injuries.

Also, look into the possiblility of rehabilitation. I went to RAF Headly Court (in Surrey) which is a military rehabilitation hospital but they have a recipricol agreement to allow civvies to go there. There is also the Police rehabilitation hospital (Goring on Sea?)

You need to talk to your Police Federation rep. I appreciate that you cannot say too much on here but please PM me and we can 'talk' further.

So sorry about your miscarriage by the way, I've been there too and know how awful it is

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm having trouble getting hold of my fed rep but should get to speak to him later. I'm at work, not allowed out on the streets but tbh its better being here than alone at home.
Already had a few comments that make it perfectly clear they think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill but thats their problem. I'd never really suffered from backache before and I wouldn't wish it on amyone!

In addition to the advice you've received on here, perhaps post in 'employment issues' and see if any of the employment experts like flowery are around to advise. Definitely make speaking to your federation rep a priority though.

I used to find deep heat was good for my backache and there are some new painkillers out now available over the counter containing volterol which would probably help. (((hugs)))

Has your GP referred you to an orthopaedic surgeon? If you have a herniated disk, they need to look at management to avoid it getting worse, and preferably to help it get better. Don't do anything that puts your back at risk in the meantime. Really do NOT.

Thanks for all the good advice. The doc has given me a fit note and said I mustn't drive or wear my stab vest. The stab vest is a sore point at the mo as I have requested a lighter vest supported by my consultant but they are dragging their feet.

The bosses aren't happy but neither am I. When youre stuck in everyone just treats you as a skivvy so it knocks down a bit. Ho hum. Thanks for the support though. Its made me feel much better just saying how I feel on here