Stage 1 hearing

[sturdyelephant]

Hi, I meant currently off work due to illness. GP has today signed me off as unfit to return for 4 weeks. Work has arranged a stage 1 meeting for Monday - do I need to attend?

They have said my attendance is required and the meeting must be held in the office. This is causing me additional stress when I am already off with stress.

What happens if I don’t go?

Legally are they allowed to do this or should they wait until I have returned to work?

Can they go ahead without me and I can notify my views via an email.

I’m not in an union.

Hopeful bump!

What sort of company do you work for?

You need a copy of the absence management policy. My employer does similar but they are a bit more flexible about timing/ venue sometimes. But it's pretty standard to be invited to a meeting after about a month off sick.

This is all very standard. They need to keep in touch with you, and it’s a good idea to keep you coming into the office so that stays “normal” and doesn’t become a barrier later. I would co-operate if you possibly can

I work for a large public organisation.

Most of the reason I am stressed is due to work related stress caused by excessive workload. My employers are aware of this. The thought of going into work next week makes me feel physically ill. What will happen if I tell them I cannot manage it?

I went through this. I did not have to attend (recognised PTSD caused by a work incident). Very understanding employer who still had to go through the motions. They sent me an audio version of the meeting.

Responses all very much appreciated.

My employer is not understanding. OH agree with my doctor I am not fit for work. My boss is still pressurising me to return. Does anyone know if the OT is allowed to attend with me?

I would try to get someone to represent you in your absence or suggest a neutral location or just don’t go. It is unlikely to affect the outcome.

OT would not normally be allowed to attend. They should have provided you with a copy of the absence management policy when they gave you your invite for stage 1 hearing.

You can ask for a change of location as a reasonable adjustment, but as pp stated, it can be considered good practice to keep you familiar with the office.

At this stage, they should set out what absences triggers are in place and where you are at with them.

You should ask what adjustments they are willing to make in order to get you back in to work. You said the stress is due to high workload. Can this be quantified? Ie someone in your role will normally take 100 calls per day/manage 100 cases a week/ validate 100 applications per month etc.

If you/they can quantify in that way, you need to ask for the average performance across team/department/job role and how that compares to target. Then negotiate a lower target than the average for you to return to work. It would then be reasonable to increase your target gradually until you reach dept average, not target unless they are very similar. Only accept target if that is lower than dept average.

Their goal is to get you back in to work. Your goal is to get back in to work, with a reasonable workload and support to manage the transition.

They can't force you to attend. They can have the meeting in your absence.

I'd be surprised if they allowed you to have a representative in your absence, but assuming it is classed as a disciplinary you are entitled to a colleague or TU rep to support you if you do attend.

They may allow the occupational health advisor to attend to support you, but this would be at the discretion of your manager and OH (they may decline to attend).

You can ask for a change of location as a reasonable adjustment,

I agree with everything you've said, but just to point out that, unless the stress is a long term condition, there is no statutory entitlement to reasonable adjustments (although it would be good practice in the circumstances).