In shock - I’ve just been sacked

[Zofloramummy]

I’m a single mum with a mortgage. I’ve worked in the NHS for 21 years. I’ve had a really shitty few years, left an abusive relationship, struggles with my mental health and had an accident resulting in several fractures.

I have had three absences since my return from long term sickness (flu, D&V, and a horrendous reaction to antibiotics).
I went to the third formal sickness interview today and I’ve had my contract terminated.

I’m in shock I think. They’ve applied the policy to the letter so I doubt there are grounds for appeal. After years of service and being burnt out by the demands of the job I’ve been sacked.

Not sure why I’m posting I think I just need to hear some positive stories of people who have come out of the other side of this. I don’t think I want to work in the NHS any longer. I’m trying to see this as an opportunity. But I’m scared too. Not sure if relationships is the right place to post, but any advice would be great.

Tenancy not tendency

Op really sorry to hear this, how awful for you!

I am a firm believer in everything happens a for a reason though so I really hope this is the start of something great for you.

Best of luck.

I hope you get clarity quickly that you will not be liable financially for the car

I think there are a few issues around the equality act because depression in your case is probably a disability. Take legal advice op.

16 years in the NHS and I've NEVER heard of anyone getting the sack for their sickness record. Quite the contrary, Ive had a nurse once tell me she takes 3 months every year as she's "entitled" to it!

In terms of mental health, the NHS in particular should be very supportive. If you can evidence that you've done all you can to help yourself, to match what they have done to help you in terms of adjustments, I'm honestly shocked it's come to this.

If you didn't have any representation with you, you most certainly have grounds for appeal. And I'll second what has earlier been said, it's not too late for the union.

But, if you don't want to return to the role then please see it as an opportunity. I wouldn't discard someone for a post just because of their sickness record. Granted, I look at it, but any concerns I can refer to Occy health. You would get another job in the nhs I'm sure. Temping is also another great opportunity if that suits your home life.i got to meet lots of new people, learn new skills, work in different departments before I settled in my chosen NHS field.

Wishing you all the best of luck!

16 years in the NHS and I've NEVER heard of anyone getting the sack for their sickness record.

I’m a senior HR professional in a small NHS trust. Been employed for a year and have overseen the termination of 6 staff for their sickness absence.

In the OP’s case it sounds a bit heavy handed, but if they’d made all possible reasonable adjustments and anything suggested by occ health there may have been nowhere else to go.

Christ Op , that's really unfair ! I work for the NHS and my sickness record is dreadful- also mental health problem , horrific rta , kidney problems. I'm a bit worried now.

I hope this is the start of something new and better for you xx

The new pay deals are extrinsicly linked with reducing sickness absence. This will happen more, not less.

Tittygolightly I seriously couldn't do your job. I am now very senior in my role but value all my staff the same, from cleaners to my band 8, if they're poorly, I'm concerned and I always want to know if there's anything I or we as an organisation can do to help.

I suppose in a small trust, where staff and their attendance are relied on, things may be different. But as a line manager I ensure I know everyone roles so that if needs be, I can absorb their loss or spread their roles around. I find it quite disheartening to hear that staff, who may be absolutely brilliant at their role when in full health, are being dismissed. Coughs, colds, notable absence during school holidays absolutely should be managed, but this is chronic mental illness. I really do think shame on them.

I’m a champion for compassionate management. There are many more staff who haven’t been dismissed even though the opportunity arose. My strategic role is about improving staff wellbeing and supporting them not just with issues at work but the other things that are stressors - elderly parents, childcare, unwell partners, single parents, financial concerns, work life balance.

We haven’t lost a tribunal yet on the decision making.

It’s far from my favourite part of the job. But I’ve saved far more staff than I’ve admitted defeat.

I have had three absences since my return from long term sickness (flu, D&V, and a horrendous reaction to antibiotics).

Which of these is a long term mental illness?

You need to read it all. Two long term sicknesses triggered by burn outs. 7 months of counselling. Being in a better place mentally then, which will now untimely now be put back. There's also a mention of alcohol, again something my organisation would see as an illness. This is not to get into an argument about who has and hasn't won tribunals. I'd feel really sad if things ever got to that point rather than seeing it as a success in my career, but I'm not in HR thankfully.

It’s the short term illnesses that have progressed the OP through the process to dismissal. I can’t say whether the outcome would have been different in my trust, but absolutely everything possible would have been done to try and accommodate the OP before even considering dismissal.

Current employment law means there’s little to no risk for anyone taking a claim to tribunal, unfortunately. So claims are a certainty, rather than a measure of unreasonable HR practice. They cost a bloody fortune in time and money for the NHS so nobody is making reckless or risky decisions because the potential impact is too great.

I have known 2 staff dismissed by panel decision.
Both had barely worked in a 2 year period and had received every type of support and adjustment to help them.
You just cant go on paying people or keep their post open for years on end if there is no improvement.
It impacts other staff and the service you are desperately trying to provide.

I have had issues with depression for five years. Yes my dismissal was linked to short term absences. Two of which were vomiting and diarrhoea.
I really felt so much more aware and awake since I came off AD’s early this year. I’ve got a wealth of skills and experience which I can no longer use in the field I’ve been in for twenty years.
My organisations answer was to reduce my hours. But I didn’t get regular supervision. I was expected to manage staff absences whilst being told I wasn’t being asked to do a management role. My direct line manager didn’t understand my issues and had a get over it attitude.
Not ideal but it is what it is. I can only move forward. I don’t see any positives in looking back. I don’t want to be in that environment again where I’m viewed as a weak person. My counsellor said to me that I’m not weak I’m very strong. Because no matter what life has thrown at me (and believe me it’s thrown some curve balls) I keep getting up again. And I will do it this time too.

And all of the best to you, I admire your strength and determination to succeed. From what I've read, the NHS have lost a good member of staff. Our loss. Good luck for the future.

It’s probably worth putting in an appeal against the decision if you can demonstrate that you didn’t get the support you needed and asked for.

I would like to add that I was in work up to the point of dismissal. I had I think in recollection two weeks and three days over 11 months on three separate occasions. I returned to work after my long term absence last August (burnout and then multiple fractures from an accident).

Was there a recent occ health report? What did it say?

The one I received said that they expected my attendance to improve. But the dismissal letter said the decision had been made following the meeting and advice from OH.

the pp who was sacked, took a 17k reduction, but really enjoys her job now.
I too was basically sacked but adore my job now.
It's hard to see the light now OP, but you will get through this and get another job, and all will be ok. Promise.

Definitely worth an appeal. I can help you write your appeal letter if you want me to.

Please request the minutes from your meeting. Something you said in that meeting, coupled with advice from OH triggered the decision. It's best to check the minutes haven't been manipulated in any way.

There mat not be formal minutes. But yes, worth asking for a copy.

Why would there be no formal minutes? It's a dismissal! At every step there should be someone taking minutes.