Occupational Health Professional...

[steve61]

Hi All, anyone here who as visited a Occupational Health Professional due to absences from work?

I'm due to visit one on Friday afternoon surprisingly it's not in working hours!

I just want to know what to expect, questions/examination what information do I need to take?

Is this assessor working for my benefit as well as my employers?

Cheers Steve

[Porky]

Hi

I was refered to OH after being in hospital with a flare up, like you was terrified that it was to elbow me out of my job, nothing could have been further from the reality. They usually work on your behalf for your company. They will recommend adjustments etc and it is then implemented by your line manager to fit in with them.

Mine put in place workplace restrictions and as I'm covered under the disability at work Act am given exception to sickness absence procedures. I am currently on reduced working hours with adjustments as I have an infection causing a flare.

My employers are great, I couldn't praise them more.

My meeting was very informal just a chat with questions about the condition,meds,how the condition affects me etc. Details of who treats me......No letters needed, but I do know that they may require evidence from your medical team,no examination. I have access to the team at any time.

Hopefully others will come along with their experiences, I do know they vary.

Wishing you all the best.

[PMRpro]

Speaking from outside the situation - my husband's experience was that OH tend far more to the side of the employee than to the employer. He was only head of department rather than employer but OH came up with graded returns to work which he tried to comply with - only for the person concerned to say "Oh I couldn't do THAT" and OH told him he had to accept it initially. In that case it was eventually OH who agreed that he had a point and the next stage of the process was moved on to.

But when I say it was a member of clerical staff whose post was to type and take phone calls - who was only supposed to type for 10 mins at a time because of RSI but refused to take turns answering the phone during the part time return to work, "I'd have to speak to PATIENTS" you'll see that OH were pretty supportive!

[LuckyJC]

I saw one last year when I'd been off for several months with a mystery disease (turns out now it was probably the UCTD rearing its ugly head). I found them surprisingly supportive and helpful. I had gone fully prepared to be on the defensive and to have to justify my absence, but actually they were very pleasant. The first question they asked was 'Tell me about what's been happening' and I then launched into the very long, complicated and traumatic story of just how many specialists I was seeing to try to get to the bottom of the problem. This was really helpful as the letter she then wrote to my employer to summarise her findings said that it was clear I was doing everything humanly possible to get myself better.

I would go prepared to tell them everything - every traumatic appointment, how long you spend trying to arrange medical tests etc, and just how little you are able to function. It's so easy to assume that they/employers can tell by looking how ill we are, but these people have never met you and can't make any assumptions, so tell them chapter and verse

[Polly2Cats]

I've been to occ health a few times. I don't know if they are all the same but mine asks general questions and history about health illness medication then focussed on current health issues. Asks what symptoms are and then what impact they have eg how far can I walk how long can I stand. My job involves driving so how can I drive. They usually make a recommendation about if there are any adjustments that could be made to get you back to work and whether your problem is covered by disability discrimination act or whatever it's called now. Good luck.

[Greengirls]

I too had an appointment with an Occupational Health professional arranged by my workplace, although I was a bit apprehensive, it was the best thing that happened to me, they arranged parking outside the office so I didn't have to walk too far, and made my manager more aware of what I was going through so that everyone was supportive when I needed hospital appointments etc. Just be honest and open about how you feel and what you need to be able to continue to work. Good luck.

[jacclaire]

Mine is same but in the house as I'm on long term sick and another letter to get from herbif u needed any medical evidence is good too