Vulnerable brother

[SheilaBirling]

My brother is in his early 50s. He has worked for a large supermarket chain for more than 30 years. For several years he has been working nights, stacking shelves. He is experiencing health issues - high blood pressure etc and has a couple of weeks off - signed by the doctor. I don't think it is feasible for him to continue like this and he needs to have work which is less physical and also a different shift pattern. Does this need to come from the doctor or my brother? I have LPA over his welfare and financial matters so am able to speak for him. Any help would be very welcome. Thank you.

Permanently or temporarily?

It doesn’t ‘need’ to come from the GP but a fit note saying he is only fit to return on adjusted duties will help.

I think the first step is for him to speak to the employer about changing shifts and duties. Then take it from there, if they want medical reports organise them at that point.

Ask to meet with the supermarket manager to discuss concerns and look at daytime opportunities

Before you do anything I think you need to be really sure that the job is actually causing his health issues. Many people in their fifties have high BP which can be controlled with medication and exercise is normally seen as beneficial.

As the parent of a vulnerable adult, I know that his job is probably really important for his self-esteem and in the current climate if you start asking the supermarket to make changes they are more likely just to sack him leaving it impossible for him to find another job. Working nights may suit him because he has to deal with fewer people.

I'm not saying you are wrong, I do think you need to make sure that your concern for him is not making you jump to premature conclusions.

Thank you very much for replying - all of you. You are right - I want to "fix" things and selfishly I am grasping at strawsto try and find a "solution".