I have been off sick from work for over a year after a Heart attack and don't feel I am able to work anymore as any physical work brings on PAF. And so do not want to keep forwarding sick notes for what seems an indefinite time as my workplace will hold my job open but with no pay anymore unless I get signed off permanently and can then claim work insurance and other benefits.
Does anyone know if it is worth asking my Cardiologist who I am meeting in a couple of weeks time, could he sign me off from work permanently?
I did ask my Doctor but declined and told me to speak to work. However work will not pay me if I just leave on my own merit.
Does anyone know if Doctor or Cardiologist CAN permanently sign you off these days?
Written by
vmeldrew
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11 Replies
•
Dear vmeldrew
So sorry that you are so unwell that you feel that you cannot return to work.
The job of your Cardiologist and Dr is to do all they can to try and get you there.
I have { nor will anyone else other than your Dr} have any idea if your medical problems prevent you from returning to work.
I presume that your Dr is airing on the side of caution by keep signing your fit for work notes, But by now your work { HR dept } with your permission, should be in touch with your Dr and yourself over plans for your return to work stages or certainly some sort of release packet that you would have to agree with { if acceptable }
If you feel that the mental side of the whole thing has raised its head then that is another path that your Dr can send you down.
To my knowledge your Cardiologist can only sign off what he/she has done and list this to your Dr, it is then up to them to discuss why they think you can't work in some capacity .
Every inch of my body wants to work, but due to ASDS [ adult sudden death syndrome } that isn't possible and I have been forced into early retirement { savings no benefits }
Please don't right yourself off if possible, change jobs but if that is the way that you think is best for you then the Citizens Advice can help steer you through the benefit nightmare.
I never judge anyone, just hope the best for them, which is what I wish for you.
Thankyou Blue1958 that was helpful info. Appreciated.
• in reply to
That is an interesting comment...
"But by now your work { HR dept } with your permission, should be in touch with your Dr and yourself over plans for your return to work stages or certainly some sort of release packet that you would have to agree with { if acceptable }"
My understanding is that if you are unable to fulfil your contract of employment (say due to long term sickness or the onset of a disability whilst in service) and the employer is unable to offer any reasonable alternative as required in employment law, at the employer's discretion the employee can be 'released' and provided the employer meets the contract of employment terms , say giving the correct duration of notice, that's it. In other words the employee will have no say in whether it is 'acceptable' or not, provided the employer has met the conditions described above.
If you have firm evidence to the contrary please share it.
• in reply to
I am so sorry if I have given anyone the wrong information,
If what you have written is so, { I have no doubts it is } then will the OP be able to get some benefits because his employer has deemed him unfit { what is the employers proof? where did the employer get the information from? } to carry on in his old capacity { or not being able to offer a new one } and let him go?
Seems very unfair if all the OP is trying to do is leave his work place because he still feels he is unable to work { maybe more mental than physical backed by his DR still signing the fit for work notes } and needs support from the state.
A lot of folks need help and support and I personally think that pathway should be easier to travel given what so many have already gone through.
• in reply to
In the UK if an employee declares that they are unfit to work either whole or in part, then, after a few days, they must produce medical evidence to back that up, otherwise they are in breach of contract. So, initially, the employer does not determine whether they are unfit to work. The system relies on the integrity of the employee followed later by medical certification . However, according to circumstances, if an employee is off work long term or cannot fully carry out their duties according to their contract of employment, there will come a time for a discussion between employer and employee to explore what can be done in the best interests of both parties, and the outcomes can be different, e.g a trial period at full duties, or something is available say reduced duties at lower pay, or nothing is available and the employer can release the employee having satisfied their legal obligations, or the employee quits. It appears to me that the law, whilst open to interpretation, is generally even handed and respectful of both employee and employer.
But as to whether the state support system is fair and proportionate to both those who support it (as in the taxpayer) and those who receive its benefits is open to debate and a subject most will have a view on.
I took early retirement with a private pension at 54yrs old at 2016 without any advice and realised not enough to live comfortably so got a job at a large retail store and in 2018 had heart failure but carried on working then September 2019 had a heart attack and been off sick and pay stopped June 2022.
I have been on the job for 5 years now.
My company has contacted the work insurance company(release package) who in turn will be speaking to my doctor and i am still waiting for a reply.
I Think they will concentrate on offering me a sit down job on the till, with no physical interaction which I feel i cant manage when i get a PAF attack. It is down to the cardiologist in the end.
Also I'm appealing to tribunal with regards to a PIP claim i put in.
thanks for explaining, see now why your asking. I wonder if like ill health it has to be demonstrated that there is no treatment or therapy that can be found to improve your health so you can get back to work. In which case medical opinion would be required to determine that. Depends on your personal case and health issues whether that is the case. Wish you luck. It may be your employer or insurance company will want to get their own medical opinion but consult with your treating doctors.
There is a government scheme called "Access to Work" which is designed to help people who have an illness or disability get back to work. It does this by helping the employee and helping employers make any workplace changes that are necessary.
Might be worth having a look to see if it suits you (just Google it).
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