They want me to see occupational health but I’m unsure what they will do. I am not ill or unfit for work. I’ve been doing the job I was told to return and do.
Do I agree to occupational health do you think or are they just on the side of the employer to medically retire me over covid?
I am not allowed to wear any other mask other than the medical graded ones due to the nature of my job.
Have a lovely evening all xxx
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AmmeA
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So sorry to hear this AmmeA, I wouldn't know what your best option would be but whatever happens I hope everything works out in your favour in the long run.
My experience with Occy health was very negative . No way was she not coming down on the hospital side and quoting the law at me saying it was covid safe and I would be in full PPE for 8 hour shifts. Since then I dare not say how many staff have caught it! So I had no choice but to retire. The 26 weeks pay may apply to you if they have medically suspended you? Good luck. Cx
Oh no Chriskho sorry to hear that! I have 14 years loyalty to this company as well. I was told to return to work from shielding and just stay in the office away from my staff which I had been doing until today. HR ignored all my emails regarding my concerns about how the masks affect my severe asthma abs they choose to ignore them all. My RM told me to return to work on light duties and I have been doing just that since September. Mind boggles x
I’ve done 38 years NHS and 5 years private, made no difference in Private ( not sure if NHS would have treated me differently ) was frontline and ordered to stay at home shielding after a risk assessment but after the 12 weeks when the government told us to go back to work we had to do our same jobs and I was about to be transferred to a major crisis area where some of my team have been seriously effected by covid.No exceptions made for me I.e a safer job during covid despite all the years hard service and responsibility I’ve done and had. I hadn’t intended to retire any time soon and both me and my team are disgusted. But apparently I didn’t have a leg to stand on.
Disgusting Isn’t it all over a pandemic none of us ever predicted. My sons girlfriend is a nurse. She has been out on covid ward despite asking not to as her mum has MS. Still out her there and she caught covid! Thankfully it was mild. Thank you for all your work with the NHS. Take care x
I'm really sorry to hear that. Just a day or so ago I read an article about dentists struggling with the new PPE they're supposed to wear and tight fitting masks, the aprons make it difficult to move and the masks make it difficult to breathe. Obviously everyone wants to be safe, both patient and dentist, but surely there must be some leeway. I hope it works out for you 🤞
Hi hungryhufflepuff. Indeed. We have to wear shields over the masks which makes it hard for us to use the slit lamp in the testing room. I’ve been taken out the situation but my poor colleagues . Thank you x
AmmeA . . . . sorry you have been suspended you should be entitled to 26 weeks pay I’m sure. I will be in the same boat. Furlough ends this week I have to go back to work having been off since March. Feel us lunges don’t have too many options mine I think for peace of mind and for health is to quit. The only one to look after my health is me. . . . . No one else really cares too much. Firms will not shed a tear if you catch COVID and get really sick. It’s a catch 22 ⏱
Hi Timepiece. Seems so unfair doesn’t it. You are right in what you are saying.
I was told to return from shielding immediately, no risk assessment nothing!!! All my emails with concerns ignored by HR. I was told to stay in office away from patients and staff and do all my admin which I was doing well until yesterday when company decided I was a risk to their covid secure policy!!!!
I am really shocked that you had no risk assessment. I work for the nhs but am able to work from home, so have done since March. The immunologist wrote a letter post shielding saying that I should not use public transport or be face to face. Occ health accepted the letter.
As someone said, ACAS would be good, or a chat with an employment lawyer if you can afford it, to discuss your rights going forward.
I work in ophthalmology as well and am facing the exact same problem. After shielding went back to work on admin duties. 3 weeks after returning went off sick with septicaemia so employer now starting occ health process. It’s not easy but just got to see what happens.
Likewise I was told to return from shielding on “light duties” in my office and not deal with any patients which I have been doing since my return. Yesterday it becomes an issue!!!!
Really sorry to hear this. Blackbird 8’s advice about ACAS is wise. None of us should be working without being in a trade union, especially right now. Not sure, but if you’re working in a hospital, I think your union would be UNITE.
Can you work from home? My youngest daughter is sheilding due to Crohn's disease and being on immune suppressant drugs. At first she was told to go off sick as they couldn't guarantee her safety. We are lucky in that we have a Welfare Rights officer in the family! She knows the system from end to end! Employers now have a duty of care and cannot discriminate against you. My daughter got a note from her doctor to say that she is fit for work from home and her boss is having to arrange this. Get your Union involved,they cant just write you off!
I had positive experiences with Occupational Health. It is their role to find reasonable adjustments to allow you to safely carry out your employment duties under the disability at work act (obviously that depends on your particular medical history). Good luck in whatever decision you make.
🤞it gets resolved in your favour. Hopefully common sense will come out on top and you can work from home or wear you don’t need to kit up. What a lot of trouble this pandemic has caused for people Take care xxAnita
So sorry to hear of your problems AmmaA, companies are going to have to get their act together, people cant be just written off like this. I do hope that something can be arranged for you to work from home. Acas may be able to help you x
So sorry to hear this AmmeA. It doesn't seem to make sense to suspend you when you are perfectly capable and willing to continue to do your job in a separate room.
I can see you've had lots of good advice. You could also call the BLF Helpline - 03000 030 555. I'm sure they would have more useful advice for you.
Good luck! I hope this can soon be resolved to your satisfaction.
So sorry to hear that I hope you do get 26 weeks pay. I used to have to go to occupational health when I worked my experience with them was they were quite amiable. X
Did they say why you have been medically suspended and did they give you the reason(s) in writing. If no ask them to do so. You have the right, under employment legislation, to be given the reason(s) IN WRITING. They cannot use Covid 19 as an excuse to bypass Employment Law.
Suspension, for whatever reason, is deemed to be part of a disciplinary process and the company must follow the appropriate actions laid down by Employmen Legislation in ALL cases of disciplinary action.
If you are a member of a union get them involved or you may wish to consult with an Employment solicitor.
Have any other members of staff returned from quarantine or have any of them tested negative? Try and find this out. If the case is that any other member of staff had been quarantined and that you have been treated differently, the word discrimination springs to mind.
I don't know the whole story (have you had a positive/negative test?) but, as an ex HR Manager,I feel that you have been shabbily, if not unlawfully, treated.
Hi Kevin. I am still awaiting the letter which I was told I would receive this morning.
I have been suspended as I cannot wear a mask doe to severe asthma which they were made aware of several times and I was still told to return to work and stay in the office and not deal with patients.
Has been working fine since September.
3 of my staff have all had negative tests but they wear full ppe.
I have offered to support the regional managers from home and I’ve been told nothing available.
I have been medically suspended on the grounds that I cannot adequately fulfil my job role (the same role I have been doing for the past 9 weeks since returning from shielding and annual leave).
I have no argument apparently and I have to have a phone call with occ health who will agree with my employer I cannot safely do my job from my own office without a face mask.
After 14 years I will be dismissed over a face mask with no pay and no job potentially in next 2 weeks. I am fighting a gunfight with a knife apparently.
Hi., AmmeA, for the first time in a while I am pleased to be retired. So sorry about your situation and all the hassle involved. I do hope it all works out for you and common sense prevails. Good luck.
Can't say anything helpful, but it makes me angry that people like you can be treated so unjustly. I hope after all the hassle things finally work out for you.
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