Occupation health - long term sick

[BG2015]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June. I had surgery during the holidays and am having chemo and radiotherapy which is likely to last for the next 6 months.

I teach full time. I've been at my school for 20 years (& teaching for 24) so it's been very hard acknowledging that I can't teach for some time.

My head has referred me to occupational health which I know is standard but I've never done this before (having had very little illness during my teaching career),

Is there anything I should be aware of before I speak to them.

My pay will go to half in February which I know is in line with school policy but still feels like a kick in the teeth after 20 years of loyalty.

I'm sorry for your diagnosis

I'm no expert, but I'm not sure why you have been referred to OH when it is obvious you are going to need at least 6m off. I think your GP can sign you off for 3 months at a time. I'd send the note to the school, and let them know you will update them in 3-6 months' time.

The OH referral will be useful when you are ready to go back to work (whenever that is), as they will be able to make recommendations to the school about the support you need. It's nothing to be worried about, and they really are independent to the school.

If you don't think your school are being supportive, do get in touch with your union. You should really be left alone to focus on your treatment and recovery.

All the best

Best wishes to you. Occupational health are there to protect you as well as the school and they’ll be able to judge when you’re ready to go back to work, and what adjustments you might need. They are there to advise the school to help them to do the right thing. School don’t have to follow the advice but let’s hope they do. The pay thing is tough (I was in the same position as you) but it’s a lot better than some professions. Good luck.

The OH referral now seems odd to me too.
I had mine when talk started about me starting back at work.
Honestly, they were fab. They were the ones who insisted I had a phased return, and suggested all sorts of things that wouldn't have occurred to me - I thought I'd just start back! They were really helpful, and seemed pleasantly surprised to be talking to a person who wanted, and was expecting to go back to work.

My head is quite a new head (4 years in the job) hes never come across a long term sick staff member, he's contacted HR who have then suggested OH!

I've had to fill a form in already stating my diagnosis and the fact that I'll be having ongoing treatment.

In it he states that me being off long term cannot be sustained or afforded by the school.

He is being very supportive and is following school policy.

He has said that closer to my return there could be a period where I could work from home for some part of the week and at school and revert to full pay. These conversations were very casual.

Again, I don't think an OH referral is appropriate in your situation. You are entitled to 6m off on full pay regardless of whether the school have budgeted for this or not.

Please make an appointment with your GP and get signed off. The conversation about your return can wait until after your treatment. It's good to know that wfh will be supported, but it's too early to really think about now.

A few years ago, my husband had 4 months off following a serious illness. His school didn't contact him, other than to send cards and flowers. When he contacted them about returning, he was referred to OH, who were great, but surprised he wanted to return so soon.

I've been signed off sick for 2 months and my GP says this can be continually extended.

I teach in a quite small rural primary school (200 on roll) and we are quite a close staff.

I don't even know yet what chemo I'm having or for how many cycles until next week. All seems a bit premature to me really.

Glad of the confirmation of half pay as we will need to save and budget from now. Christmas is cancelled 😞

I'm sorry that you are worried about money
Do you have critical illness cover?
Your union will also have a benevolent fund that you can apply for.
You may be entitled to benefits when you drop to half pay.
Schools can also extend the full pay at their discretion. A colleague received an additional 3 months' full pay when she was too ill to return to work after 6 months.

No I don't have critical illness cover. I've been a single parent for a lot of my children's lives so could never afford it.

I've been told I can write to the governors and claim 'hardship' and ask to have my full pay extended- just seems very demoralising to me.

I'll wait to see what my chemo regime will be and how I feel come Jan/Feb before I decide what to do.

I think I might be entitled to PIP when my salary halves but know from a friend it can take months to get anything.

I think I need some counselling too.

Definitely apply to the governors to have full pay extended. I know it must feel like you shouldn't have to and they should offer, but I can't imagine they will say no. I know someone who returned to work because their pay was about to drop to half, but it really set their recovery back and they were off again soon after.

If you haven't already, do speak to your union. They will have experience of supporting teachers in your situation, and will be able to signpost you to financial and emotional support.

All the best

I know your mind is running at double speed at the moment, but, honestly, just wait until you know more.
Until you know what your treatment plan is, you don't know where you will stand.
Take care of your health for now, and think about this later.

Does the school not have insurance? That will be covering the cost of the supply cover so it wouldn’t be right to say the school can’t afford your long term absence.

@Kite22

I know your mind is running at double speed at the moment, but, honestly, just wait until you know more. Until you know what your treatment plan is, you don't know where you will stand. Take care of your health for now, and think about this later.

We need to be prepared for a drop in income so unfortunately we need to think about it now so that we don't overspend.

Yes school have insurance but are currently not full, so with 12-15 pupils less we don't get the same money coming in!