Dp signed off sick for 2 weeks......questions

[nutcracker]

Dp has been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis particulalrly in his spine and knees.

Over the last few weeks his g.p has had to regularly increase dp's dosage of painkillers as they wern't working. He has now been reffered to a consultant and given 2 weeks off work sick.

I need to know where he stand in terms of getting paid. His work are already complianing about time he's had off and mentioned today that he can't do his job with a bad back (he's a dreyman).

He is going to ring them in a bit and ask if he will get paid or not, bit if they say no, does he have any other options ?? If they say no and we can't get any other help then he will have to go into work as we just cannot do without 2 weeks money.

AFAIK, they have to pay him, certainly I got paid when I was off work (years ago) for 13 weeks.

He got paid in a pervious job for 6mths when he ripped a muscle in his back, but his last job before this one, they didn't pay sick pay at all and so I am wondering if it is a optional thing or not.

Isn't there Statutory Sick Pay which a company may top up ? There may be a qualifying period though. Have alook at this for starters.

Yeah have just looked at that. If they didn't top it up though then we would be in crap.

he should have to get paid statutary sick pay or if they wont contact your local jobcentre plus and find out how he would go about getting that as if he has been paying national insurance they would have to pay. Also if he has signs to say he is fit for work.

hope something is sorted out for you.

Look at his contract, he may be full or partial pay for a while, then it will revert to Statutory Sick.

Right thanks, am sorting his contract out now.

The doc keeps saying that his condition will only get worse with the type of job he has, but they don't seem to understand that dp can't just toddle off and get an office job.

Contract says that 'there is no entitlement to sick pay but the directors may auothorise payments of up to 3 weeks at basic pay rate.'

Does he qualify for incapacity benefit, perhaps?

Erm hmm not sure.

If they he will get paid for the 2 weeks then thats fine, no probs with that.

Not sure what is going to happen long term though as basically he shouldn't be doing the job he's doing and thats that.

Right he's just spoken to work and they said they need to consulte with personel department and they will ring back.

They also said though that they may have a prob with him returning full stop as obviously his job is making him worse and they don't want to be liable what happens then ??

Hmm. I'd see the CAB for advice about your situation, TBH. It sounds like he might be able to qualify for Incapacity Benefit or at least Job Seeker's Allowance, but speaking w/a benefits advisor can't hurt.

Yes thats sounds like a good idea expat.

Really need this like a hole in the head right now.

They're usually called a benefits or welfare rights advisor. It's a place to start at any rate. But it's important to know all your options if his employer is agreeing that he will not be fit to do the job again and he has a medical condition.

Thanks expat, will get onto it once they ring back and tell us what personel have said.

What did they say Nutty?

They didn't ring back

Sometimes it's best to go in in person and set an appointment. Then go for the appointment. I'd suggest bringing along an envelope or binder with some bank statements, any benefits awards you may have (tax credits, child benefit, housing/council tax benefits, etc.), statements of any debts you have - credit cards, overdrafts, personal loans, etc. and if you have a copy of your husband's sick line or a letter from the GP about his condition.

It's not as easy to fob someone off if they're there at the counter and waiting in the waiting room.