Occupational health suggesting "forced" reduction in hours

[denialandpanic]

I have inflammatory arthritis. I recently had a bad flare up and an absence of one month followed by a phased return of half hours for one month. This was all on doctors advice. During my absence I fully complied with all policies, trained my replacement in my home for three hours, kept boss up up date etc.

I was asked to see company (local government) occ health doctor to "ensure that they had put everything possible in place to support me". i consented to them seeing my medical records. In a five minute interview today the doc grimaced, said there's not much can be done and said I have three months to sort it out or they reduce my hours, goodbye Msdenialandpanic.

I have just started a DMARD and am actively trying everything possible to combat this thing. I can't afford to have my hours cut. Can they really force this? I am a member of UNISON.

Do you come under disability legislation?
As you have a chronic condition I would imagine you do.
Speak to union.
Stress can exacerbate arthritic conditions so they are not exactly supporting a prompt return to fitness.

I'm fairly certain it comes under disability legislation. The occ health referral letter specifically asked if the equality Act 2010 applied? I'm really hoping I took the wrong conclusions from a fairly brusque doc. I'm being copied on the report. Burst into tears on phone to boss this afternoon, not been one of my nest days I have to say

Speak to Unison. Am sure it is not as cut and dried as that. There is a fairly lengthy process involved in dismissing someone who can not perform their job because of ill health. If you were in the NHS , you could be off for upto 12mths before this could happen, not certain about Local Govt.
Think maybe the Dr was a bit brusque as you say, and may be he doesn't know the whole process.
Talk to HR as well and find out the policies involved. They may well be available on-line. Local Authorities have to stick to them.
Have you managed the half hours? if so could you start to increase again?

I'm not sure I'm with you.. You're working reduced hours already, no?

Does the OH feel you will not in the foreseeable future be able to return to work full time but will be able to return on reduced hours?

What do you think should be happening?

Sorry for all the questions!

Flowery sorry, I'm back on full hours this week. I am keen to try and keep working full hours (30hours per week). he seemed to be suggesting that if I had any absences in the next three months they would force me onto reduced hours. My gut feeling is I can get this fully under control but there will be occasional flares so I can't guarantee no absences and the new drugs they have put me on have numerous side effects that can ease after a few months.

I just feel its too early to give up on my full hours. Plus i have a huge mortgage :(

Hi, I think (hope) you have misunderstood or the doctor did not make themselve clear (or they are a tithead) but OH can not reduce your hours nor can they make the employer do anything, they can only advise.
the OH advised a reduction in hours which your employer complied with as well as the slow increase in hours.
what the OH doctor has now said is a heads up to you on the way they have seen your employer react in the past maybe, the Equality Act is not a get out of jail free card and your employer, if you can't cope with your full hours be they 10 or 42 can reasonably adjust your hours down, if you can't cope with the full hours which unfortuanatly does mean a reduction in wages.
that said I think if you have only just got back after only 2 months and still undergoing treatment, they would seriously be jumping the gun in reducing your hours perminately at the moment.
I agree with those who say if you are in a union talk to them, also contact the OH and speak to the senior nurse for clarification.
good luck and hope you get sorted out soon
have a look at your doctors Manangement referal report to you manager when it arrives as well (and if you don't get a copy this is bad practice) OH doctor's have to send you a copy and I as a nurse have always sent a copy to the client, also you can ask to see the report before it is sent to your manager (future advice for you)

I see, sorry.

Well firstly the OH doctor is there to advise your employer on now to support you and on the impact of your condition on your employment. He is absolutely not there to say anything like that to you and is not an expert in employment law or has any authority to impose anything.

If it becomes clear that realistically you can't manage on full time hours reducing your hours as a way of avoiding long term absence might be discussed with you. Ultimately it might be necessary to reduce your hours to keep your job, but in local govt terms it's very early to be talking along those lines.

What did your boss say when you told him/her about the conversation?

My boss was quite shocked and sensibly said don't panic let's wait and see the written report.I was being a bit over sensitive Friday I think.the horrid reality of all this is just hitting. Thanks for the advice,I will update when I see the report.feeling more upbeat.