occupational health referral

So had an 'impromptu' meeting with my manager and hr officer today and they are now officially referring me to occupational health.

I know in some ways this can be a positive thing but in others I've heard bad things so not too sure how to feel about it.

What do they do when you go to the meeting? Any help appreciated

[Asthmababe]

Hi,

I went for my second meeting with an occupational health doctor today. The first meeting, a couple of months ago, was to see what work I did, how much time I had off, if work were doing enough to accommodate my condition and they also asked me to sign to give permission so that they could get a report from my consultant. The report that came back from this appointment to my employer said I was fit for work as long as they made some changes to my work place.

Today it was totally different apparently the doctor had been talking to my manager (he never said anything to me) and it was a case of think about options because I am clearly not well but there has been no change from last time. I thought that it was confidential but it seems that occu health and my manager have been discussing me behind my back! Time to consult an Employment solicitor.

[Hidden]

Hey!!

I have to say occupational health for me were realy supportive (when I had the job) along with all the staff.

For me what the done was:

- Contacted my resp team for what they though would be the best for of support for me.

- Asked me what kind of support I wanted

- Adjusted the sickness policy for me

- Got it so I didn't have to do night shifts - for obvious reasons

- Got all my sick leave that was for asthma collated together and put under one sickness absent instead of the many it was.

- When I was to return to work post an asthma issue, I always went and seen them so they could give me the all clear for whether they thought I was fit enough to return, and if not, they would send me back to the GP and tell them to get a grip lol

There was a lot more, but it was so long ago that I cant really remember sorry.

xxx

[Hidden]

I've seen Occy Health several times with work and the Doctor there was very helpful. My manager sent a form to them with information on where they wanted additional advise. And the doctor sends a report back. He was really helpful and I now have myself registered at work as 'disabled' which basically means when I do have extended time off sick it doesn't go on my Bradford score if I'm off with the asthma. I didn't like the idea at first but he explained that if I didn't take the meds what would happen? Which got me thinking. It just basically means work now can't go down the disciplinary route if I'm sick with the asthma. I also was able to be set up to work from home if my chest is a bit dodgy to rest a bit which my manager didn't want me to do, but now work great now I'm working in the community rather than a hospital. Hope that helps a bit

[Hidden]

When I went to see Occy Health we talked about how it effects me, triggers when Im better and worse and what I do at home when unwell. They contacted my specilists aswell

The adjustment were:

-Not starting work before 11am (have very broken nights sleep and tiredness effects me)

-Not Outside working (due to weather)

-No lone working

-Disabled Parking

- A Plan for when get ill at work 9when they should ring etc)

-Company left neb machine in our first aid room

- Got a fan for my desk

-Session for staff on asthma

I was lucky in my last job there was nurses on duty and I got a really good relationship with them and they never stopped me working if I felt able to, I still had to see them any time I was off sick but they understood Im likely to have a higher sickness rate and they didnt mind as they had no complaints about my work when I was in.

[Hidden]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to give so much info, all very useful stuff and making me feel a bit happier about the whole thing.

Dawn, that definitely sounds like you should get some advice

X

[Hidden]

Best of luck with it all Angelica. I;m sorry I can't help much, but I'm self employed.