Occupational health appointment

[minilemonade]

Hiya, just after a bit of advice. I've got an occupational health appointment coming up next week (joys of working for government) as I've been off with "pregnancy sickness" for a while now. I don't feel ready to go back to work. I can't sit or stand for too long and I'm deaf in one ear somehow (I work on the phone) and I still feel sick all the time. Can't sit down properly due to pregnancy piles. Plus the job itself causes me a lot of anxiety but I can't really admit that part because I can't afford to not be in the job.

I was just looking for advice, if anyone has had experience with OH in work and how the appointment goes? Or if anyone has any ideas how I can make it crystal clear I'm not ready to work yet.

Stick to things that are pregnancy related - you cannot be fired for time off due to pregnancy related sickness. They'll just be looking to see if there's anything they can do to help you when you do come back to work, such as a rise and fall desk or more regular breaks.

I was signed off with depression and although I wasn't pregnant at the time, I had to have several appointments with Occ Health.
Basically, they just ask how you are feeling and ways in which they can support you on your return to work. My place did try and push me to go back before I was ready but I stood my ground and told them I wanted to follow the advice of my GP. They suggested a phased return for me when I did go back and I did half days for a few weeks. Obviously they want people back at work but they should also be supportive and understanding to your situation.

Yeah I'm not too concerned with being fired as I went from having brain cancer so covered by the equality act for that, to being pregnant which again they can't fire me for, and I've also joined the union in work in case of any issues. I just don't want to be forced back when I'm not comfortable working at the moment but if I can just insist on following doctors advice that should be alright!