Possibly going to get sacked for sickness- help!!

[stressedtothemax77]

Had an operation on my knee at the end of February.
Was initially told (before the op) that recovery would be 6-8 weeks, after the op was told that the operation was more complicated than was first thought.
Been having weekly physio but ,although there had been a slight improvement, things have not gone as well as expected.
Saw the consultant yesterday who has said that I need more time to heal before he can scan and see what the problem is. Seeing him again in July??

I work in another town to where I live and cannot physically drive at the moment due to pain. But I could work if I could get there?
Been having monthly meetings at work for absence and all seemed well.
I have been today and been informed that they will be looking at re-deployment or dismissal

I don't know what to do? I didn't think that with a doctors note they could sack me? I know I have been off quite a while but I don't think it's an exessive amount of time after an operation.

I am in the union at work and they have said they will look into it.

But now I'm really worried. I can't afford to lose my job.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Just a tip, have you got proof of offering alternative suggestions ref changing locations, light duties, amendments? Or has it all been conducted over the phone? Best to have an email/paper trail in case it gets messy.

for you. In my book, if a consultant says you're not fit for work then you're not fit, end of. It is not your choice, and if you have proof you have suggested solutions then that would stand you in better stead.

Also, I doubt any OH would go against a consultants recommendations so what would they have you do??

I don't agree with that shakey. I broke my ankle last year and at the follow up clinic a week later the consultant was very keen to sign me off. Left foot, automatic car, parking space at work, I only took a half day off after I'd been to a&e.

About six months later GP wanted to write a sick note, after I'd been off for a week for three weeks. I asked for one week and said I'd go back if necessary. I had 9 days off work for a broken back

My experience is that they are very happy to sign off.

Even if a taxi would leave you with zero in the short term, if you lose your job surely you'll be financially worse?

Ye Gads, 9 nine days off work for a broken back?? And half a day with a broken ankle? Made of sterner stuff than I

I would suggest that your broken ankle consultant was hasty in saying you were fit for work. But I'm not a medical specialist in any way shape or form.

However, it's clear OP's consultant decrees that she is unfit for work. Ditto the company's Occupational health. It would be extremely unfortunate to be sacked whilst following medical advice. Not illegal I know but still. Just suggesting OP covers bases (hate corporate twaddle but it was better than "ducks in a row") in case of dismissal in an unfair way.

Just trying to say shakey that in my experience, they are very pen happy with a sick note. He wasn't hasty, he wanted to sign me off but I desisted. I sit at a desk all day and could get to work easily.

The back, well if the spinal cord is clear the advice is to move as much as bearable. >50% wedge fracture with a tip into the canal. Yep work after 9 days. Lucky it's desk based. Four months in it's pretty good and I'm gardening again. I'd be in a bigger mess if I hadn't kept myself moving and taken minimal pain relief. Back to Pilates too. I admit I'm made of quite stern stuff.

Mr consultant told me to rest and take it easy if I insisted on work. Met him at customer collection in John Lewis a week later on the first day if the sale. I had my crutches across the trolley and was telling the lady I was perfectly fine to get in the lift and go to the car. He'd bagged a really big tv and had to suppress a smile of disapproval. I was busy.

Apologies beau I was reading your post the wrong way. Was interpreting "sign off" as sign off as fit for work.